Hong Kong (CNN) The Philippine military said Thursday it has discovered illegally built structures on features in the Union Banks, a series of reefs in the South China Sea near where Manila says Chinese maritime militia boats have been swarming in recent weeks. "These structures are illegal," military chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said in a statement. JUST WATCHED Why it matters who owns the seas Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Why it matters who owns the seas 03:48"The Laws of the Sea gives the Philippines indisputable and exclusive rights over the area. These constructions and other activities, economic or otherwise, are prejudicial to peace, good order, and security of our territorial waters," Sobejana said. "We have already updated our higher civilian authorities such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of National Defense about these offenses to our sovereignty," the general said.

Source: CNN April 01, 2021 13:30 UTC