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PH tells China: Pag-asa island works are ‘legitimate’
Pagasa Island map | credit Google | Manila Bulletin
May 3rd, 2017 | 09:48 AM | 1588 views
MANILA, PHILIPPINES
The Philippine government has reiterated its sovereignty over Pag-asa Island and the larger Kalayaan Island Group as one of its municipalities.
The Department of Foreign Affairs issued a statement in reply to the statement made by Chinese Ambassador to Manila Zhao Jianhua that the improvement work that the Philippine government will undertake in Pag-Asa Island is “illegal.”
“Any visit or activity we undertake there are part and parcel of our Constitutional mandate to ensure the safety, well-being, and livelihood of our citizens living in this municipality,” said Foreign Affairs spokesperson Rob Bolivar.
Pag-asa Island is the second largest of the naturally occurring Spratly Islands and the largest of the Philippine-administered naturally occurring Spratly Islands. It lies about 480 kilometers west of Puerto Princesa City.
The island is also claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam.
Earlier, the Duterte administration announced plans to improve the facilities in the sea areas that the Philippines occupies, such as Pag-asa Island.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has declared that the plans were only to repair and upgrade facilities in the Spratly.
Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN
by Roy Mabasa
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