(Eagle News) — Malacanang expresses “serious concern” about the reports of alleged Chinese militarization of the West Philippine Sea, and will bring this up in the next Bilateral Consultation Mechanism with China this year.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr., said that they still have “no independent verification” of reports that China had landed several bombers on an island in the disputed South China Sea.
“We have no independent verification. Nonetheless, we take note of the reports that appeared and we express our serious concerns anew on its impact on constructive efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region,” Roque Jr. said in a Palace press briefing on Monday, May 21.
The Cabinet Secretary belied claims that the administration is merely waiting for China to expand its militarization of the WPS. On the contrary, he said the government is exerting all diplomatic means to address the matter.
Roque stressed that the issue concerning the Chinese bombers will be brought up during the country’s Bilateral Consultation Mechanism with China sometime this year.
He also pointed to the statement that was adopted by the Philippines, along with other member-states, during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Singapore, which reiterates the call for non-militarization and self-restraint in the conduct of activities in the WPS.
“The Philippines reaffirms the need to enhance mutual trust and confidence, avoid actions that could escalate tensions, and [pursue] peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea [UNCLOS],” Roque further stated.
On the other hand, the Spokesperson clarified that the government does not consider China as a threat to the country’s national security, especially now that the Philippines has a “newfound friendship with China.”
-China lands bombers on disputed island-
China has for the first time landed several bombers on an island in the disputed South China Sea, a move that could provoke renewed tensions between countries bordering the strategically vital maritime region.
Several bombers of various types — including the long-range, nuclear strike capable H-6K — carried out landing and take off drills at an unidentified island airfield after carrying out simulated strike training on targets at sea, the Chinese airforce said in a statement Friday.
China has for the first time landed several bombers on an island in the disputed South China Sea, a move that could provoke renewed tensions between countries bordering the strategically vital maritime region. (Photo grabbed from CCTV sourced video)
Wang Mingliang, a defense expert cited in the statement, said the takeoff and landing exercises on islands in the South China Sea will help the air force “strengthen its combat capability to deal with martime security threats”.
The move comes weeks after US network CNBC reported that China had installed anti-ship and air-to-air defences on outposts in the Spratly Islands that are also claimed by Vietnam and the Philippines, citing sources close to US intelligence.
Washington warned that Beijing would face unspecified “consequences” over its militarization of the South China Sea, and said it had raised the issue with China.
“I believe this is the first time a bomber has landed in the #SouthChinaSea,” Bonnieh Glaser, a China expert at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, tweeted.
In an analysis published on its website, CSIS said the location of the runway was believed to be Woody Island, China’s largest base in the Paracel Islands, which is also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan.
The South China Sea issue has been brewing for years, with China, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam making competing claims in waters with vital global shipping routes and what are believed to be significant oil and natural gas deposits.
China has engaged in years of land-reclamation efforts on reefs it controls in the region and built both civilian and military facilities in the contested area.
Chinese military facilities include air bases, radar and communications systems, naval facilities and defensive weaponry including landing strips able to accommodate military planes.
(with a report from Agence France-Presse)
