MANILA: The Philippines accused China on Tuesday of laying concrete blocks on a small group of reefs and rocky outcrops within its territory, the latest escalation in a hostile maritime dispute.

Defence department spokesman Peter Galvez released to the media an aerial photograph of what he said were about 30 blocks on Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.

“It’s unfortunate that they keep on doing activities that do not contribute to our pursuit towards regional peace,” Galvez told reporters.

Read more: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/philippines-says-china-is/800430.html