Philippines ‘not to occupy new areas’ in S.China Sea: officials

The Philippines will upgrade existing facilities on its inhabited islands and reefs in the South China Sea and not occupy new territories, adhering to a 2002 informal code in the disputed waters, its defense and military officials said Friday.

China’s foreign ministry on Friday expressed concern at Duterte’s reported remarks and said it hoped the Philippines could continue to properly manage maritime disputes with China.

“We hope the Philippines side can continue to properly manage maritime disputes with China and safeguard together the sound and stable situation of China-Philippines relations,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a daily news briefing Friday.

A statement from Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s office on Thursday said he had ordered troops to occupy uninhabited islands and shoals that the Philippines claims in the disputed waterway, asserting Philippine sovereignty in an apparent change of tack likely to anger China.

The firebrand leader, who on the campaign trail joked that he would jet ski to a Chinese man-made island in the South China Sea to reinforce Manila’s claim, also said he may visit a Philippine-controlled island to raise the national flag.

But defense and military officials have subsequently clarified the president’s comments.

“The president’s order was very crystal clear. Occupy only the existing areas that we claim,” a navy commander, privy to development plans in the South China Sea, said Friday.

“The Philippines is not allowed to do that, occupy new territories in the Spratly [Nansha Islands as China calls it], based on the 2002 agreement,” said the navy official.

The president’s comments were made after he was briefed by defense and military brass about South China Sea developments in Palawan, according to his communications office.

“What he really meant was the already-occupied areas,” Philippine military spokesperson Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla said.

Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana said there were plans to only repair and upgrade facilities in the Spratly (Nansha Islands).

“The president wants facilities built such as barracks for the men, water and sewage disposal systems, power generators, light houses, and shelters for fishermen,” Lorenzana said.