Philippine coast guard officials said Friday that authorities have set up three coast guard posts to monitor the movement of ships and increase security on the three islands in the disputed South China Sea.
The move has boosted the presence of Filipino troops on islands in the hotly contested Spratly archipelago and is unlikely to satisfy Beijing, which claims almost the entirety of the disputed waterway.
Although China has made seven disputed reef areas on military-protected island bases in recent years, it has protested any new construction in the region and is concerned about rival countries and the United States, which has no recourse. claims to the territory, with claims to the South China Sea. . however, he deployed his forces. Sea and air patrols to “ensure freedom of navigation and flight” in disputed waters.
Coast Guard Admiral Artemio Abu said the sites on the islands set up this week will be managed by Coast Guard personnel and equipped with radio communications that can report any incident to Coast Guard headquarters. In Manila. Abu did not specify the number of personnel to be deployed to the new locations, but said it was the largest deployment of Coast Guard personnel in the disputed region so far.
“Through these command and control centers, we are advancing our capabilities in enhancing maritime security, maritime search and rescue, and protecting the marine environment,” Abu said in a statement. Sabi.
The three islands have been occupied by Philippine forces for many years and are known worldwide as “West York”, “Nanshan” and “Northeast Caye”.
Last week, the Coast Guard placed five buoys with the Philippine flag inside and outside Thitu Island, the largest of the nine islands and areas occupied by Philippine forces in the Spratly Bay. The Philippines considers a large part of the Spratlys to be part of the western province of Palawan.
Source: Associated Press
Source: Arabic RT
