spot_img
28.4 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

DFA tells China: Pag-Asa island belongs to the Philippines

- Advertisement -

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has released a statement insisting that the Pag-Asa island situated within the South China Sea is owned by the Philippines.

DFA said, “Pag-Asa island and the larger Kalayaan Island Group are a municipality of Palawan.”

It added, “Any visit or activity we undertake there is part and parcel of our Constitutional mandate to ensure the safety, well-being and livelihood of our citizens living in this municipality.”

The statement comes, following the remark of Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua on the Philippine government’s plan to improve the facilities in Pag-Asa island.

Zhao had said, “our official line is quite clear. We view the occupation by the Filipino, the Philippine side, of those islands [as] illegal. And so the buildings on it are also illegal.”

- Advertisement -

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana visited Pag-Asa island on April 21, 2017.

He had promised the upgrading of living conditions in the area.

The Chinese military had ordered the C-130 plane that Lorenzana was boarding to “go away” as it was flying to the Philippine-occupied island.

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles