MANILA - THE Philippines has increased air and naval patrols and plans to upgrade an airstrip on an island it occupies in the South China Sea to strengthen its claim on the disputed area, the military chief said on Monday.
General Eduardo Oban said the army had about 8 billion pesos (S$233 million) for a capability upgrade programme, 'so we can really safeguard our interest, particularly in the area'.
The funds will be used to buy faster boats, long-range maritime aircraft, surveillance and communications equipment and repair of facilities in the Spratly Islands, he said.
China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan each claim all or parts of the Spratlys, an area believed to be sitting on rich deposits of oil, natural gas and minerals. The disputed territory is also a rich fishing ground.
The Philippines stepped up patrols on its western maritime borders after an incident on March 2 in which Manila says two Chinese boats threatened to ram a survey ship conducting seismic tests. The Philippines insists the Reed Bank, where the incident happened, is in its territory. China reaffirmed its claim of sovereignty over all of the Spratlys and its adjacent waters.
Oban said the Philippines would repair barracks and the airfield on one of the nine islands its occupies, allowing Hercules C-130 planes to land for resupply missions. -- REUTERS
