China admits reclamation work in West Phl Sea

MANILA, Philippines - China is undertaking reclamation in the West Philippine Sea to improve the working and living conditions of Chinese stationed on disputed islands.

Reiterating Chinese claims of sovereignty over the Spratlys and adjacent waters, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying told reporters in Beijing Tuesday that the reclamation activities on islands and reefs in the archipelago are justifiable, as they are being undertaken within China’s territorial sovereignty.

“As far as I know, the construction work China is undertaking on relevant islands is mainly for the purpose of improving the working and living conditions of people stationed on these islands,” she said.

Replying to a question, Hua said she has already answered the question on the true purpose and intention of China in building artificial islands.

Following the completion of an artificial islet on Mabini (Johnson South) Reef, China’s reclamation projects are in full swing on three more reefs within the Kalayaan Island Group in the Spratlys. 

During an aerial reconnaissance last month, Filipino security officials saw China’s reclamation activities on Burgos (Gaven) Reef, Kennan (Chigua) Reef and Calderon (Cuarteron) Reef.

Spratlys invasion

Sea-borne guerillas will invade the Chinese-occupied Spratlys in the West Philippine Sea.

Making the boast was  lawyer Ely Pamatong the self-proclaimed commander of the paramilitary United States Allied Freedom Fighters of the East (USAFFE).

He talked to The STAR over the telephone yesterday after returning to Mindanao following his hearing on inciting to sedition charges in a Caloocan City court.

Pamatong said more than 1,000 young volunteers are now undergoing banca sea maneuver training somewhere in Palawan to join fishermen in the disputed territories to “swarm” Chinese outposts in the West Philippine Sea.

“We will be retaking islands occupied by China within the 200-mile economic zones of the Philippines,” he said.

Pamatong said several private organizations have pledged to help acquire small high-speed bancas to transport “sea guerillas” to the disputed territories.

China’s occupation of several islands within Philippine territory is practically an invasion similar to the  British invasion of the then Argentine-occupied Falklands and the American invasion of Grenada island in the Caribbean, he added.

Pamatong said they are fighting for ancestral proprietary rights as the West Philippine Sea has been the ancestral fishing grounds of   Filipinos.

“This is people’s initiative, the government has nothing to do with our action,” he said.

Pamatong said a banca would carry at least five guerillas in shallow waters to ward off Chinese Navy patrols.

“Once we capture a Chinese occupied island we will raise the Philippine flag and will invite international press to cover the Chinese counterattack,” he said. – With Perseus Echeminada