(Manila Comprehensive) The Philippines considers a stranded warship in the South China Sea as a military outpost to strengthen Manila's control of Ayunjin Reef with sovereignty disputes.This may irritate Beijing and exacerbate the tension of the South China Sea.
Commander and Lieutenant General Carlos of the Western Command of the Philippines issued a statement on Thursday (August 10) saying: "We are considering taking various actions to extend our time where we stay there ... including renovation (stranded warships)."
The Philippine Army Commander, Blauna, visited the Western Command in Balawwan that day, said that the Philippines must strengthen the existence in the relevant waters."We plan to deploy more warships, even planes to defend our exclusive economic zone."
The Philippine Navy dragged the Madele Mountains landing ship to the South China Sea in May 1999, and deliberately let it strand in the Second Thomas Shoal (China A Love Reef), making it the Philippines and ChinaThe Nansha Islands (Philippines called the Spratel Islands), which exists in sovereignty disputes, formed the actual control of the Philippines for Ayunjin Reef.This controversial sea area is in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, but China also advocates the sovereignty of this sea area.
Carlos said it would continue to transport materials to stranded warships
Carlos also said on Thursday that it will continue to transport supplies to relevant stranded warships. It is expected that the supply ship will be sent again next week.
He pointed out that the military would use the same supply ship as last Saturday (5th), hoping that "no cannon incidents will occur again."
The Philippines has accused the Chinese maritime police from intercepting the Philippine Coast Guard ship and supply ships to the Ayunjin Reef last Saturday, and fired a water cannon to the Philippine ship, resulting in one of the supply vessels unable to reach the shoal unloading.
Philippine suspension of China Enterprise Baying Manila Bay reclamation project
When the relationship between China and Philippines is tense, the Philippine government announced that 22 reclamation projects of Manila Bay to evaluate the impact of the project on the environment and society, and whether it meets the regulations.
The Philippine Environment Minister Royzaga said at a press conference on Thursday that the reclamation activities involved hundreds of hectares of land, and the total price of the project may reach billions of peso.treatment.
She said that if there is violations, it must be corrected within the deadline, otherwise the environmental license may be revoked.However, she did not show the timetable for completing the review.
Philippine President President President Macos said earlier this week that there are problems with the implementation of these projects, but it has not been further explained.He also expressed concern about the rivers connected to the bay.
A few days ago, the United States expressed concern about the participation of the China Transportation Construction Corporation's participation in the Philippine reclamation project.In 2020, the US Department of Commerce announced the sanction of Chinese enterprises such as Chinese transportation construction, because they assisted Beijing Militaryization South China Island.
