The presence of several Chinese vessels in Scarborough Shoal (Bajo De Masinloc), which lies 123 miles of Subic Bay, Zambales, is a precursor to possible building of structures in the area.
This was stressed by Department of National Defense (DND) public affairs office chief Arsenio Andolong in an interview Wednesday.
“We believed that this is precursor to possible building of structures on the shoal, which is why we are gravely concerned about this development especially (as) the shoal is well within our exclusive economic (zone) and we like to point out that the Ambassador of China denied this only a week ago,” he added.
Earlier, the DND released pictures of the Chinese vessels lying off Scarborough Shoal. The photos were taken by Filipino military aircraft on overflight missions to the area last Sept. 3.
But prior the overflight, Andolong said the DND has prior knowledge of Chinese activity in the shoal as Philippine ships are regularly patrolling the area.
Read the full story at Tankler