LOOK: AFP chief flies around PH-claimed territories in West PH Sea

PAG-ASA ISLAND, Philippines — Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr. flew around Philippine-claimed territories in the Kalayaan Island Group (Spratlys) on his visit to Pag-asa Island (Thitu) on Monday.

READ: AFP chief visits Pag-asa Island

The AFP chief and his entourage, which included foreign and local media, flew via a C-130 transport plane of the Philippine Air Force. The plane flew from Manila to Puerto Princesa in Palawan to refuel before it went to Pag-asa.

“Before we landed we saw the reclamation in the Subi Reef and it’s really enormous…Kanina we passed by Patag island and then Lawak and then Likas and then Pag-asa,” he told reporters in a press briefing.

READ: Pag-asa Island: ‘Come hell or high water, this is ours’

On the way back to Puerto Princesa on the same day, the plane flew over Panata Island, Kota and Ayungin Shoal.

There was no harassment from China during both flights. The military recently said in a Senate hearing that China has challenged Philippine military planes in patrol for about six times.

China has made significant progress in its reclamation works around the disputed seas, including Panganiban (Mischief) Reef and Zamora (Subi) Reef. Reports earlier said that China appears to be building airstrips on both reefs.

Both reefs are within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

READ: China reclamation in West PH Sea ‘ecological time bomb,’ says group

Catapang’s visit to Pag-asa Island, a fifth-class municipality in the West Philippine Sea, was the first time in seven years. He was the first AFP chief to visit the island under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III. IDL