China's expansionist policy escalating tension in SCS —Gibo

Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Thursday said it was China who was escalating the tension in the West Philippines Sea (WPS).

Teodoro made the statement when asked about the statement of Senator Robin Padilla insinuating that it was the presence of the US in the Philippines that was escalating the tensions in the region.

"In terms of the Philippines, I respectfully disagree. It is the expansionist policy of China that is actually escalating the tensions not only between us but with Vietnam and other actors,” Teodoro said on ANC.

“And their 10-dash line actually is the best proof that they want to escalate tensions within the area because now even Brunei is affected and India is affected and Nepal is affected,” he added.

Teodoro pointed out that China did not recognize the Philippines’ 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

During a hearing of the Senate national defense committee on Tuesday, Padilla questioned the presence of an American plane during the latest resupply mission.

On September 8, Chinese vessels again maneuvered dangerously against Philippine ships in the resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, where a US aircraft was supposedly seen.

A US Navy aircraft was also spotted during the August 22 resupply mission.

Defense Undersecretary Ignacio Madriaga and Professor Jay Batongbacal said there is nothing wrong with the presence of a US military plane during resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal.

Batongbacal said there is freedom of navigation and overflight in the areas near Ayungin Shoal, which means the presence of US military aircraft does not violate any international laws.

“Yung area po na ‘yun ay parte po ng ating exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, ‘yun pong Ayungin Shoal. Thereby, hindi po ‘yan land territory. Wala pong territorial sea d’yan, walang territorial airspace at sa ganon mayroong freedom of navigation and overflight po 'don sa paligid ng Ayungin Shoal,” he said.

(That area is part of the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of the Philippines. There's no territorial sea or air space and there was freedom of navigation and overflight in the area of Ayungin Shoal) —NB, GMA Integrated News