New troops deployed in West Phl Sea

MANILA, Philippines - Fresh troops have been deployed to military outposts in the West Philippine Sea except Ayungin Shoal, which is guarded by a detachment of Marines stationed on a grounded WWII-era transport vessel.

Wescom commander Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez, together with Naval Forces West (Navforwest) Commander Commodore Natalio Abinuman and 3rd Marine Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Armando Banez, welcomed the other day the soldiers who had completed a three-month duty in the seven islets and a reef included in the country’s regime of islands in the West Philippine Sea.

“The troops who were deployed in seven islets and a reef in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) have been rotated,” Marine Battalion Landing Team-12 commander Lt. Col. Rodel Martires said.

Sending of soldiers and supplies to the Ayungin detachment is more complicated as replacement soldiers have to evade Chinese patrols in the area.

Beijing is claiming almost the entire South China Sea. Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also have overlapping claims in the South China Sea, which is believed to contain vast oil and mineral deposits.

Beijing is also building an air and naval base in its occupied Fiery Cross Reef.