Philippine troops march as a Philippine Air Force C-130 transport plane carrying Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Armed Forces Chief Gen. Eduardo Año and other officials, sits on the tarmac at the Philippine-claimed Pag-asa (Thitu) Island off the disputed Spratlys chain of islands in the South China Sea Friday, April 21, 2017 in western Philippines. Their visit Friday was aimed to assert the country’s claim to the heartland of a disputed area where China is believed to have added missiles on man-made islands. The South China Sea issue is expected to be discussed in the 20th ASEAN Summit of Leaders next week. Seen in the background above the horizon (center) is the Chinese man-made island of Subi Reef. (Photo by BULLIT MARQUEZ / AP)
Even if China claims it is illegal, the Philippines would continue its plan to develop Pag-asa Island, according to National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. who said he did not think China would actually block the country’s access to the area.
While not discounting the possibility that China could try to hamper the Philippines’ plans for the island, Esperon did not think this was likely since the Philippines had not tried to stop China’s activities in the other areas of the Spratlys.
“They may block us there but my own assessment is they might not. We don’t block them in Fiery Cross, in Subi, in Mischief Reef. Each of them is 500 hectares,” Esperon said in a palace press briefing.
“And then they will say, ‘hey, why are you reclaiming the area? That’s dangerous.’ Meanwhile, you are already on the other side. You should be ashamed,” he added.
He said China’s recent challenge to the aircraft carrying Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana when he was on the way to visit Pag-asa Island was just “normal” for those approaching the disputed area.
Lorenzana’s visit to Pag-asa, which was made to assert the Philippine claim there, had pushed through.
The government has set aside P1.6 billion to develop the area, which could become a tourist attraction and marine research center.
The Kalayaan Island Group off Palawan, which includes Pag-asa Island, has been in the Philippines’ possession for decades.
Esperon also said that in case the Philippines’ faced an untoward challenge, the Philippines could lodge a note verbale.