Malacañang is leaving it up to the defense department to verify reports about new Chinese construction activities in Panganiban or Mischief Reef in the West Philippine Sea. “We leave it up to the DND (Department of National Defense) to verify that because the report only appeared in the papers and we will let the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) take steps about it. But I cannot comment on something that is not yet verified,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said at a press briefing yesterday. Fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) has denounced China’s apparent construction activities in the reef over which an international arbitral tribunal has awarded the Philippines sovereign rights.

Romero, A., Marcelo, E., Felipe, C. S., & Lee-Brago, P. (2021, February 7). 'Up to DND to check new Mischief Reef construction'. The Philippine Star, p. 7.