MANILA, Philippines (Eagle News) — It “did not happen overnight,” says Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque pertaining to alleged reclamation and the building of military installation by China in the West Philippine Sea.
“Those islands were reclaimed during even the time of the former administration. They were complete in fact during the time of the previous administration, and I think whether or not we like it, they intended to use them as military bases,” he added.
The statement was made amid reports that China is almost done transforming into military bases seven reefs claimed by the Philippines.
Roque said based on their monitoring, China has so far not built new artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Our position is everything found on these islands were already there when the President took over. So let’s not talk of a militarization that happened under the Duterte administration, if there is such a militarization which China denies,” he said.
“But what I’ll just say that the intent to use or to station military hardware has always been there even before the entry of the Duterte administration,” he added.
Roque said it will rely on China’s promise not to reclaim new artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“Well, we’ll continue relying not only (on) the principle of good faith, we also continue to rely on the general prohibition on the use of force which is found under international law. And we expect that China being not just a member of the United Nations but also a permanent member of the Security Council will adhere to the prohibition on the use of force,” he added.