The Armed Forces of the Philippines has urged the United Nations to immediately act on the Philippines' diplomatic protest filed against China over the latter's reclamation activities in South China Sea.
A report on radio dzBB on Tuesday quoted AFP chief of staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang as saying the UN should decide on the matter for the military to "move on" to other duties, such as the country's fight against global terrorism and global climate change.
Catapang said that while the case is pending, the military will refrain from any action that may further escalate tension.
On Monday, Catapang confirmed that China is indeed building structures in Areas One, Five and Seven on the West Philippine Sea where the Mabini Reef (Johnson South Reef), Panganiban Reef (Mischief Reef) and Kennan Reef (Chigua Reef) are located.
Catapang said these three areas are within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
Defense capabilities
Meanwhile, while waiting for the resolution, Catapang stressed the need for new equipment to improve the country's defense capabilities.
He noted that China's defense capabilities are far more advanced than those of the Philippines.
Beijing is currently undertaking land reclamation on seven disputed features in the South China Sea, including in areas that Philippine officials say are within Manila's territory.
A latest surveillance photo of Burgos Reef (Gaven Reef), according to Philippine defense officials, showed that China has constructed a building as large as the Mall of Asia in Pasay City—Manila’s biggest shopping mall.
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