Philippines and the Spratly Islands

Philippine Military To Upgrade Island Facilities, Not Launch Land Grab

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The Philippines’ military said 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. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Thursday that he had ordered the armed forces to “occupy all” remote reefs claimed by Manila, in a move … Read more

Duterte Orders Philippine Troops To South China Sea Reefs

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday ordered Filipino troops to deploy on unoccupied South China Sea islands and reefs claimed by Manila, in a move that could provoke rival claimants including Beijing. In a surprise announcement, Duterte told reporters he has ordered soldiers to build structures on Philippine-claimed islands and reefs in the strategically located … Read more