PHL neglected its territories in West PHL sea - national security analyst

From GMA News (May 28): PHL neglected its territories in West PHL sea - national security analyst

Vietnam has surpassed the Philippines in the number of structures built on islands in the West Philippine Sea, where the Philippines has territorial disputes with neighboring countries, according to a national security analyst.

The “structure gap” supports the assertion made by Rommel Banlaoi, head of think tank Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research's Center for Intelligence and National Security Studies, that the country has neglected its territories in the West Philippine Sea.

"While others have fortified their facilities, we remained modest in our facility development. We also have to develop our same type of deterrent capability," he said in a GMA 7 "24 Oras" report by Maki Pulido.



Vietnam has the most number of establishments in the area with 21 buildings, followed by the Philippines with nine, China with seven, Malaysia with five and Taiwan with one.
Vietnam has no less than three buildings in Pugad Island, while it has built wind mills and solar panels in Namyit Island, which is part of the disputed Spratlys Islands, Banlaoi said. The Vietnamese have also built three-story buildings in Collin Reef, Petley Reef and West London Reef, while it has a satellite dish in Pigeon Reef.

Meanwhile, Taiwan has a concrete runway in Itu Aba Island, while Malaysia has built a helipad in Ardashia Reef.

An earlier report by Pulido said that the Philippines only has huts in the disputed area, where the Navy takes shelter.

"Nung panahon ni Marcos, walang ginawa ang navy natin kundi magpasabog ng magpasabog ng mga structures 'dun. After 1986... naging abala tayo sa ating internal politics... nakalimutan natin 'yan," Banlaoi added in the report.

Lt. Commander Gregory Pavic of the Philippine Navy refused to comment, saying that it was the Department of Foreign Affairs which has a say on the matter.

DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez meanwhile said they would issue a statement on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan said Banlaoi is entitled to his opinion.

He, however, countered that the AFP has not neglected the area. "His opinion is not what we're doing... We have monitored the developments there, that's why there's a protest filed before the United Nations body, so we can have a peaceful ending to this issue," Tutaan told GMA News Online in a phone interview.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/310307/news/nation/phl-neglected-its-territories-in-west-phl-sea-national-security-analyst