The Philippines says it will spend $118 million to build up its air and sea defenses in the Spratly Islands, where Chinese vessels have repeatedly disrupted oil and gas exploration efforts.
Officials said President Benigno Aquino has approved the spending to purchase a high-endurance naval cutter and six helicopters, three each for the air force and the navy. Manila took possession of a cutter purchased from the United States for the same purpose last month.
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