Palace concerned by China anti-ship missiles in PH-claimed WPS reefs

MILITARY OUTPOST This latest surveillance photo shows China’s military outpost on Zamora Reef is almost finished. CNBC has reported that China has deployed anti-ship missiles and surface-to-air missile systems on Zamora and two other Philippine-claimed reefs

Malacañang is concerned with reports that China has deployed anti-ship missiles in three of the seven Philippine-claimed reefs in the West Philippine Sea.

But Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the government was “confident”  that the missiles were not directed at the Philippines.

“We are concerned with the reported China’s missile deployments over the contested areas in the West Philippine Sea,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

The CNBC, quoting United States intelligence sources, said China has installed anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems in its outposts at the Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef and Mischief Reef.

“With our recently developed close relationship and friendship with China, we are confident that those missiles are not directed at us,” he said.

He assured the Filipinos that the Duterte administration would exhaust all diplomatic means to address the issue.

“Be that as it may, we would explore all diplomatic means to address this issue,” he said.

In February, aerial photographs obtained by INQUIRER.net showed that China was almost finished transforming into island fortresses the seven reefs claimed by the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea.

China has also reportedly installed radar jamming equipment in the Spratlys, according to Pentagon.

Two Chinese military planes have also been photographed on Panganiban reef.

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/165824/china-military-planes-land-ph-reef           /muf