Institute for Maritime and Ocean Affairs

www.imoa.ph

AFP calls for ‘united voice’ vs. China

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August 2, 2015

ADIZ, Air Defense Identification Zone, Artificial Islands, China, Militarization, Military Conflict, Philippines, Reclamation, Regular Patrols, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, USA

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) called on the international community for a “united voice” to stop China from pursuing the “might is right” strategy in the territorial dispute over the West Philippine Sea.

AFP spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla made the appeal after the New York Times, quoting think-tanks, detailed Chinese construction projects on several reefs in the disputed region.

“This increasing concern made by various think tank groups and the issues they presented are those which the Philippines has been raising all along,” he said.

In June, China claimed that it was nearing the completion of the reclamation projects on the disputed waters and that it was preparing to put up facilities there.

The AFP cannot say if the Chinese have finished the reclamation.