Chinese reclamation in Spratlys violates Asean conduct declaration – DND

MANILA, Philippines-With China continuing its reclamation projects in the disputed Spratly Islands, the Philippines has fired back saying the operations are an “outright disregard” of one international relation.

Peter Paul Galvez, Department of National Defense spokesman, said that the reclamation projects of the Chinese at the Gaven and Cuarteron reefs disregard the Declaration of Conduct that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations formed.

“This is an outright disregard of the DOC,” Galvez said Thursday evening. “We continue to reiterate that all nations in the region (to follow the DOC).

Galvez said that the Philippines continues to “aggressively pursue the code of conduct.”

China’s reclamation operations began in March at the Cuarteron reef and May at the Gaven reef.

According to the Asean DOC, Asean countries and China should “promote a peaceful, friendly, and harmonious environment in the South China Sea.”

Galvez said that apart from sparking new tensions, the “illegal activities” also disrupt the environment.

“These actions, these activities destroy the marine environment which sustains the marine life in the waters.”