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Esperon: Improve existing structures in WPS first before building new ones
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon on Wednesday welcomed the proposal to build structures that will assert the Philippines' claims in the West Philippine Sea but noted that the government must first improve its detachments at the disputed waters.
"Yes, we can, we can in the future build more in the features where we can build within our EEZ (exclusive economic zone) and within our Kalayaan Island Group or the Kalayaan municipality but we must prioritize our moves meaning we must improve first our detachments," said Esperon in an interview on CNN Philippines.
Esperon said the detachments that need upgrading include the country's airport in Pagasa, as well as the Petroleum, Oils and Lubricants dump and depot located on Pagasa Islands and in Ulugan Bay.
The Philippine military previously suggested building structures
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Esperon said budget and resources must also be considered if the government plans to create more features in the West Philippine Sea.
"If we have to construct in, make some constructions there then I would certainly recommend that we construct first in the islands that we now hold, we have to course budget well our resources, hindi naman pwedeng magsabaysabay lahat yan but it is very necessary for us to strengthen our positions there," he said.
Chinese vessels remained off the islands covering the Philippine EEZ despite the country's territorial claims in those areas based on the United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea and the 2016 international tribunal ruling invalidating China's "nine dash line" expansive claim over the South China Sea.
Even after facing multiple diplomatic protests, China still insisted that it has authority to take shelter at the West Philippine Sea, specifically, in Julian Felipe Reef, which it claimed was part of its Nansha Islands. -Consuelo Marquez/MDM, GMA News