AFP says no sign of Chinese reclamation works off Scarborough Shoal

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 3): AFP says no sign of Chinese reclamation works off Scarborough Shoal

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that it is still to detect any activity that would indicate that China is now starting reclamation efforts off Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal which is just 124 nautical miles from Zambales.

This was stressed by AFP spokesperson Col. Restituto Padilla Monday.

"We are still to detect any activity that would indicate that they (Chinese) are planning to conduct reclamation works off Scarborough Shoal," he said in Filipino.

And despite the military superiority of China, Padilla said the AFP will continue with its monitoring missions so that the Philippines will not be caught unaware.

Scarborough Shoal's Chinese occupation began in April 10, 2012 when its surveillance ships prevented the Philippine Navy from arresting Chinese fishermen who were caught illegally fishing endangered marine species.

In the same vein, the AFP spokesperson is urging all Filipinos to unite to protect the country's vast maritime territories as its resources belong to the coming generations.

Earlier, Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said China might also plan to reclaim Scarborough Shoal to expand its control of disputed portions off the South China Sea.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=789236