A Filipino soldier patrols at the shore of Pagasa island (Thitu Island) in the Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea. Photo: ReutersManila: The Philippines’ military said on Friday that it plans to upgrade and improve facilities on islands it already occupies in the disputed South China Sea, not embark on a new land grab. “The context with which we take the order is to improve on our already occupied islands, islets and features,” military spokesman Colonel Edgard Arevalo told AFP. Military spokesman Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla said he did not think Duterte’s order required the military to occupy further outcrops. China claims most of the sea and in recent years has been building up disputed reefs into artificial islands that can house military facilities, further raising tensions.

Source: Mint April 07, 2017 12:00 UTC