Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro yesterday accused China of being a “squatter” in the West Philippine Sea, citing Chinese presence within the Philippines’ 200-mile exclusive economic zone.
“Illegal occupation is on their end. If the Philippines occupied Hainan Island, that would be an illegal occupation. But they’re the ones within our 200-mile EEZ. They’re the squatters. They’re illegal occupants here,” Teodoro said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum.MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro yesterday accused China of being a “squatter” in the West Philippine Sea, citing Chinese presence within the Philippines’ 200-mile exclusive economic zone .
“I don’t want to laugh because it would be disrespectful. Maybe we should ask what they meant. They might say they have indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea. But how many would believe that?” Teodoro added.It is among the islands and reefs within the South China Sea that China claims to be part of its territory despite the 2016 arbitration case the Philippines won before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
“On my end, President Marcos’ instructions are whatever happens… we will never stop with our operations in the West Philippine Sea,” he said. The PCG had already approved the procurement of the two airplanes, and soon will undergo a bidding to determine from which supplier or company they would buy their new air assets.They are expediting the procurement process and intend to award the contract before the end of the year. “Hopefully, the two planes would be delivered in two years,” Balilo said.
The PCG had so far placed a total of 10 navigational buoys, one each at Likas Island, Lawak Island, Parola Island, Patag Island, Balagtas Reef, Kota Island, Panata Island and Juan Felipe Reef and two near Pag-asa Island.The sharp increase in operational behavior of China’s People’s Liberation Army in the East and South China Seas represents a significant concern, a United States defense official said.
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