Philippines Sends Troops, Supplies to Disputed Island
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Kamis, 1 Januari 1970 07:00 WIB
A Filipino soldier patrols at the shore of Pagasa island (Thitu Island) in the Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea, west of Palawan, Philippines, May 11, 2015. China claims much of the South China Sea, which carries the bulk of Northeast Asia's trade with the rest of the world. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have claims. REUTERS/Ritchie B. Tongo/Pool/File Photo
TEMPO.CO, Manila - The Philippines says it has started transporting troops and supplies to a disputed island in the South China Sea in preparation for construction work that includes reinforcing and lengthening an airstrip and building a dock.
China has protested the visit last month by the Philippine defense and military chiefs to Pag-asa Island, home to Filipino soldiers and fishermen for decades, but which is also claimed by Beijing.
Lt. Gen. Raul del Rosario, head of the Philippine military's Western Command, says troops and initial supplies arrived on Pag-asa island last week.
China's construction of seven islands nearby in the Spratly archipelago has dwarfed similar activities by rival claimants, including the Philippines, whose frosty relations with Beijing have improved significantly under President Rodrigo Duterte.
