Philippines earmarks P480M for Spratlys upgrade

From ABS-CBN (Dec 4): Philippines earmarks P480M for Spratlys upgrade

The Philippines has earmarked 479.75 million to upgrade airstrip and naval facilities in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, the Philippine Department of National Defense said Wednesday.

A security official, who requested anonymity, told reporters that the funds will be set aside to improve the infrastructure on Thitu Island.

Known locally as Pag-Asa, Thitu Island is the seat of government of Kalayaan -- a town of about 95 islands, cays, shoals and reefs that the Philippines claims in the disputed Spratly archipelago.

Thitu Island is the Philippine military's main outpost in the chain of islands, shoals, atolls and cays being contested by China, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

The Philippines has maintained a small, largely symbolic military presence on five occupied islets, two sand bars and two reefs since the 1970s.

The island has a regulated population of about 300, including civilians.

The Philippines has protested over China's actions to gain control of the South China Sea.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario on Tuesday said Manila has "undertaken many efforts" to engage China peacefully and settle the territorial and maritime disputes.

The Philippines brought the territorial dispute to an U.N. arbitration tribunal last January.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/12/04/13/philippines-earmarks-p480m-spratlys-upgrade