AFP dares China to prove PH reclamation activities in disputed waters

CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) challenged China to prove its accusations that the Philippines and other claimant countries in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) are doing reclamation work in the disputed seas.

“If the Chinese can show the photos of us doing something thing, they can show it; I’m sure we’re not doing anything; we’re just maintaining our presence,” AFP chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr. told reporters in an ambush interview on Friday at the closing ceremonies of the Balikatan exercises.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Hong Lei at a news briefing said the Philippines, Vietnam, and other claimant countries in the West Philippine Sea are doing reclamation activities and have been
“illegally occupying” the disputed seas. China claims most parts of the resource-rich disputed waters.

READ: China accuses PH of hypocrisy

In Pag-asa (Thitu Island), China accused the Philippines of building an airport.

“It’s up to them. If they have photos they can show it,” Catapang said, but strongly believed that China has nothing to show because he maintained that they are not doing reclamation activities in the
disputed seas.

The Philippines claims nine islands in the Kalayaan Island Group (Spratly), and maintains its presence there with a few soldiers.

Meanwhile, Western Command Chief Rear Admiral Alexander Lopez said they are not developing the Philippine-island claims as to maintain the moral high ground in the arbitration case filed by the country in the United Nations.

READ: PH slams China for destroying marine life with reclamation works

“We’re supporting our national policy. We are not doing anything that will weaken our arbitration case,” he told reporters.

He said he thinks that China wants to show that the Philippines is doing the same thing.

Chinese reclamation activities in the disputed seas have made significant progress in recent months based on recent satellite images.

“Let the pictures speak what they’re doing,” Lopez said. IDL