Philippines files protest over alleged

reclamation on Hughes Reef

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The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest to the Chinese embassy over its reclamation
activities on the Hughes (Kennan) Reef, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on
Friday.
The DFA said there are supposed reclamation activities of China
in five reefs: Johnson South (Mabini), Cuarteron (Calderon),
Hughes (Kennan), Gaven (Burgos) and Eldad (Malvar).

As far as I know on the Mabini [Reef], we have filed [a protest]
already. While in Kennan/Hughes, we have filed a protest last
week, DFA Spokesperson Charles C. Jose told reporters in a
press briefing.

Mr. Jose said the protest was filed since the reclamation
activities on the Hughes Reef were confirmed already, while
those in other areas are still to be verified.

The DFA spokesperson added in a text message that the Hughes
Reef is actually two reefs but taken as one.

In May, the department released a series of photographs that
appeared to show large-scale reclamation in stages on a disputed
reef in the South China Sea, also known as the West Philippine
Sea.

This series of photographs... from Philippine intelligence
sources, shows in stages the extensive reclamation by China on Mabini Reef (Johnson South
Reef), the DFA earlier said in a statement.

The department said that these actions are considered destabilizing and violates the
Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and the international law.

The Philippines said it filed a diplomatic protest against Chinas reclamation efforts on the
Mabini reef in April, but Beijing rejected it on grounds that the reef is supposedly part of
Chinese territory.

Asked on the plans for the supposed reclamation activities in the other areas, Mr. Jose said in a
text message: If reclamation work is confirmed, well also file a protest.
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Malacaang, for its part, said it would not respond to provocative acts.

Well, apparently, they are very aggressive in pursuing their expansion in the West Philippine
Sea, and obviously, these steps are designed to advance the theory of their nine-dash line,
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail F. Valte said at a separate press briefing on Friday.

Ms. Valte added that the Philippines will still choose diplomacy to address the ongoing tensions
with China: We have chosen those tracks: the legal, the political, as well as the diplomatic; and
we will stick to that. Again, we will not respond to provocative acts. -- Ailyn D. Galura with a
report from Imee Charlee C. Delavin

Palace: Philippines, China still friends
by RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
Posted at 06/09/2014 10:00 PM | Updated as of 06/09/2014 10:00 PM
MANILA - The Philippines and China are still friends despite Beijing's expansionist activities in
disputed parts of the West Philippine Sea, a Palace official said Monday.
President Aquino will even join an event marking the friendship between Filipinos and Chinese,
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said."
"The President will also attend the Filipino-Chinese communitys joint celebration of the 116th
Philippine Independence Day and 13th Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day, as organized by the
Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII). The
President will deliver a speech, during which he will highlight the contributions of the Filipino-
Chinese community not only to the growth of our economy but also to the enhancement of civic
life, Lacierda said.
"Our relationship with China is not solely dependent on our conflict with them in the South
China Sea or the West Philippine Sea. Again, our relationship with China is multi-faceted, plus
the fact that we have a number of Filipino-Chinese members in our country. We have always had
very good relations with China in the other areas of exchange that we have: people-to-people,
tourism, trade. Soand a number of us also have roots or have Chinese blood," he added.
Lacierda said reports that China has expanded its activities in other parts of the West Philippine
Sea are not yet confirmed.
He was asked for comment on reports China is planning to build a military installation at Fiery
Cross Reef or Kagitingan Reef.
He also dismissed as "speculative" a request for comment on the possibility China will establish
an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the West Philippine Sea, similar to Beijing's zone
in the East Sea.
"The report that China is building up on the Fiery Cross Reef was reported over the weekend in a
Chinesein a newspaper, so that still needs verification, so we wont comment on that. On the
ADIZ over South China Sea, that is purely speculative at this point, sohypothetical at this
point, so we dont want to speculate."
The Philippines is sticking to diplomacy and refuses to be provoked into any action despite
reports of Chinas activities, according to the Palace.
Lacierda maintained the governments stance not to respond to any provocation.
Last week, deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government will make no
response to any provocation.
"We will continue to resort to the diplomatic track that we have resorted to and that particular
track has been gaining approval from the international community. Certainly, we do not want to
escalate any tensions in the South China Sea. That is not what we are there for and, therefore, the
best thing that we can do is to resort to the diplomatic mechanism," Lacierda said.
"People seem to underestimate the fact of the power of the diplomatic track but there has been a
growing approval from the international community. We believe that with the international
community support, we can persuade China to act as a responsible member of the international
community," he added. "And also China realizes the importance of being a member of the
international community in good standing."
The Philippine has filed an arbitration case against China. Lacierda said the Philippines' move
has gained the support of other nations.
China, however, has refused to subject itself to the arbitration proceedings.
Tensions in the South China Sea have been rising since the discovery of China's oil rig in the
Paracel Islands, its reclamation at Mabini Reef, and Beijing's activities in Ayungin Shoal.
Over the years, China also laid claim to the Kalayaan island group and Scarborough Shoal.