DND confirms China's 'earthmoving activities' in Johnson South Reef

From the Philippine News Agency (May 14): DND confirms China's 'earthmoving activities' in Johnson South Reef

The Department of National Defense (DND) on Wednesday confirmed that China is conducting "earthmoving activities" at Johnson South Reef which lies 263 nautical miles away from Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

"The DND confirms (observing) reclamation or earthmoving activities in said areas and to question on whether that (is for construction) of an airfield, we cannot speculate at this point," Defense spokesperson Dr. Peter Paul Galvez said.

Earlier reports claimed that China is constructing an airfield some 300 to 500 meters long.

Galvez said "earthmoving" activities started between January and February this year.

He added Philippine aerial patrols spotted the construction during their reconnaissance flights.

The DND spokesperson declined to comment on how it would impact the security and stability in the contested Spratly Islands, which is being claimed by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysian, Taiwan, and Brunei.

Sources said that the ongoing construction works in Johnson South Reef is a violation of the Declaration of the Code of Conduct between China and ASEAN which was signed in 2002.

Under the agreement, signatories are prohibited from constructing new facilities in the disputed areas and exercise self restraint.

South Johnson Reef came under Chinese control following two bloody naval skirmishes with Vietnam, which took place in 1975 and 1988, and resulted in the brutal beating of Vietnamese naval forces involved.

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