Gov’t to continue upgrade of facilities in West Philippine Sea

Pagasa Island (Thitu) in the Spratlys

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government seeks to continue the upgrade of its facilities in the Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) to improve the living conditions of soldiers stationed there, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Thursday.

“Meron tayong pera kasing nakalaan para sa mga tirahan ng ating mga sundalo. Ngayon mga kubo-kubo lang yun. Bigyan naman natin sila ng magandang tirahan, mga barracks,” he told reporters.

The Philippines has nine occupied outposts in the Spratly Islands. The Filipino presence in Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) is anchored on the BRP Sierra Madre, a rusty ship that was purposely ran aground in 1999.

Pagasa Island (Thitu), the largest of the Philippine-occupied features, is occupied by about a hundred civilians and a small batch of troops.

The government has earlier announced its intent to repair the runway on Pagasa. A beaching ramp is currently being built to be able to bring in more construction materials.

“I got a report from the Western Command recently. Nasa 42 percent finished na yung ating beaching ramp. We need it to bring in the equipment. Kung wala yun hindi tayo makakadala ng mga bulldozer, mixer, saka buhangin, semento to repair our runway,” Lorenzana said.

The runway is targeted to be finished by end of 2019.

The defense chief also vowed that the Philippines will continue its patrols in the West Philippine Sea and will not have second thoughts to protest actions of China that violates the country’s interests.

“We will still continue with our activities there. Nagpapatrolya tayo regularly, so we will continue on strengthening our islands. Meron tayong syam na islands, the people at the Sierra Madre will still be there. Continued pa rin yung ating replacement saka, yung resupply nila. We will still patrol and we will keep on protesting kung meron tayong nakikita tayong mga actions yung Chinese that are not consistent with our national interest,” he said. /kga

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