Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo (File photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Malacañang on Tuesday said the government was looking into the alleged weather observation stations set up by China on three Philippine-claimed reefs in the Spratly archipelago.
China installed the weather stations on Kagitingan Reef, Subi Reef, and Panganiban Reef in the West Philippine Sea, a report by the South China Morning Post said, quoting Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang.
The Spratlys are a group of islands located off the west coast of the province of Palawan.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is looking into these reports. It is currently coordinating with concerned government agencies, as well as with the Philippine Embassy in Beijing to verify the existence or non-existence of these alleged facilities,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.
“The government will undertake appropriate actions once these reports are properly validated,” he added.
On Monday, Panelo said the Philippines would file a democratic protest against China once the report has been validated.
“These are news reports. We have not validated it. But if they are validated, I’m sure the new Secretary of Foreign Affairs will do his job,” he said. /cbb
READ: Palace: PH to protest China weather stations in Spratlys if validated