PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines — The military, led by Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr., flew to Pag-asa Island (Thitu) in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) on Monday. As expected, the visit drew sharp criticisms from China.
A wire report said that China accused the Philippines of “endangering international law” and at the same time slammed its “illegal” occupation in the disputed seas.
“China has made clear on many occasions that it opposes the Philippines’ futile and illegal occupation,” ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying was quoted as saying.
“The reality of the situation has again proven the Philippines to be a rule violator and a troublemaker,” she added.
Catapang’s visit, a first for a military chief in seven years, was witnessed by local and foreign journalists including Chinese media who flew with him via a C-130 transport plane of the Philippine Air Force.
Pag-asa island is one of the nine detachments of the Philippines in the Kalayaan Island Group (Spratlys). It is a fifth class municipality and has a population of about 200. The community was set up several years ago by the Philippines to assert its sovereignty in the disputed seas.
The AFP chief also flew around the Philippine-occupied territories in the disputed islands during his visit.
“We took that as an opportunity, a chance to belie the allegations of China that we are doing reclamation activities in Pag-asa. You guys have seen it, Chinese media has seen it. It depends on the reporter kung ano sasabihin niya sa Chinese government, whether he or she will be part of the objective reporting or be part of the deception being done by China,” Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez told reporters on Tuesday.
China has made significant developments in its reclamation activities around the West Philippine Sea, including in territories within the Philippine exclusive economic zone. It claims most parts of the disputed seas.
China appears to have been building an airstrip in Zamora (Subi) Reef and Panganiban (Mischief) Reef.
Recently, China has also accused the Philippines of doing construction activities in the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippines has denied doing reclamation works in the disputed waters to maintain its moral high ground in its arbitration case filed against China.
“As far as we are concerned we are just stating facts,” Lopez said. AC