By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Undaunted by the “menacing stare” of China, the Philippines is now asserting its sovereignty as it will develop the islands it is occupying in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
This was revealed on Monday by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner who said among the islands that will be developed are Thitu (Pag-asa) and Nanshan (Lawak) islands.
“We’re trying to improve that. Lahat especially mga islands na in-occupy natin. Tuloy-tuloy naman po naman po iyong ginagawa natin iyong pag-develop ng facilities natin,” Brawner told reporters.
Pag-asa and Lawak Islands are part of the Kalayaan Group of Islands (KGI), which is part of WPS.
On the possibility of China’s negative reaction to the move, Brawner pointed out that the AFP is just taking care of its soldiers and trying to improve their conditions.
“Ang ginagawa lang po natin we’re just trying to make it more liveable, more habitable for our soldiers dahil mahirap talaga ang conditions nila,” Brawner said.
He added: “May budget na. Incorporated in the budget ng Armed Forces. Every year mayroon tayong budget for the improvement of facilities.”
It can be recalled that on December 30, 2023, China opposed the idea of the Philippines building a civilian facility in the Ayungin Shoal.
“Ren’ai Jiao (China’s name for Ayungin Shoal) is an uninhabited shoal,” China Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.
She reiterated China’s claim that the Ayungin Shoal is part of its territory.
“According to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) signed by China and ASEAN countries, parties should keep Ren’ai Jiao uninhabited and facility-free,” Mao added.
(el Amigo/MNM)
