The Philippines wants a 'status quo ante' ruling in its case against China, so it would tear down its developments in the disputed West Philippine Sea – viewed by some as plain 'wishful thinking'
REEF TO ISLAND. Progress of reclamation in Mabini Reef
Rear Admiral Alexander Lopez, the chief of the military's Palawan-based Western Command (Wescom), can only watch as
"We are
monitoring the aggressive development of island reefs and features. We're
closely monitoring developments in the West Philippine Sea ,"
Lopez told Rappler on the sidelines of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA)
homecoming over the weekend, February 21.
Lopez added:
"We respect our case. The government policy is to maintain moral high
ground. If we see new developments, we report it to the Department of Foreign
Affairs."
One of the
weakest military's in Asia, the Philippines
filed an international arbitration case against China. It has been a
slow process but, in the words of a former naval officer keeping a close watch
on the case, it is "our best shot."
One of the weakest military's in Asia, the Philippines filed an international arbitration case against China. It has been a
slow process but, in the words of a former naval officer keeping a close watch
on the case, it is "our best shot."
"Talagang
hindi naman natin kaya e. (We do not have the capacity). We will have to
wait for the result of the arbitration case," the source said.
The Philippines is hoping to win the case and for
the international community to impose sanctions on China Philippines wants a "status quo ante"
ruling or for China
There are those
who fear that it may be too much of wishful thinking, since China
Rappler published
in January close-up photos of Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef, showing how China has successfully turned the rocky sandbar
into an artificial island inspite of a number of protests filed by the Philippines
Rappler is
publishing more photos showing the status of reclamation activities in 3 other
reefs in the West Philippine Sea – Mabini (Johnson) Reef, Burgos
These photos were
obtained from a source in the security sector.
Status of
reclamation activities in Keenan (Chigua) Reef as of December 12, 2014
Status of reclamation activities in Gaven Reef as of December 12, 2014
Focus on
Panganiban
The focus has
been on Kagitingan Reef because of concerns that China
is building an airstrip that will change the security dynamics in the region –
it will allow China
"The
pictures show it is a runway. It is an airstrip," Lopez said. (READ: 'China to finish construction of airstrip in West PH Sea this
year')
Outside the
artificial islands, China
has also been busy in other areas in the West Philippine
Sea .
The DFA confirmed
more Chinese development activities in Mischief (Panganiban) Reef, which was
"taken" by China
from the Philippines
Chinese vessels
also rammed Philippine fishing vessels near Scarborough Shoal in late January,
prompting more protest notes from the Philippines
There has been no
recent cases of harassment in Ayungin Shoal, said Lopez, but at least two
Chinese Coast Guard ships are circling the area at any given time.
There are at
least 10 fishing vessels all over the West Philippine Sea ,
with Chinese and Vietnamese ships dwarfing Philippine vessels.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/85085-photos-china-artificial-islands-south-china-sea
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