Probe China missiles on 3 PH reefs, House asked

Muntinlupa City Rep. Ruffy Biazon on Thursday asked the House of Representatives to investigate China’s deployment of antiship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems on three Philippine reefs in the Spratly archipelago.

“This deployment of military assets no doubt [has] national security implications on the Philippines, a matter that should be taken seriously as a threat,” Biazon, vice chair of the House committee on national defense and security, said in a statement.

US news network CNBC last week reported that China deployed the missiles on Kagitingan, Panganiban and Zamora reefs, which it had seized and transformed into artificial islands with runways and military installations.

‘Should not be tolerated’

Biazon said foreign military presence on Philippine territory, “regardless of physical presence or projected capability to strike, should not be tolerated, especially if its presence is not upon invitation by the Philippines or covered by a mutual agreement or treaty.”

In his resolution, Biazon said the missile deployments may be described as “creeping militarization and invasion [by] China” of disputed Spratly islands.

He said it “should be of serious concern not only because it directly affects our sovereignty and national security, but our country’s trade and economy as well.”

A group of young Filipinos staged a rally in front of the Chinese Embassy in Makati City on Thursday, burning the flag of China to protest the missile deployments.— JEROME ANING