The government has ordered the military to beef up its presence in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) following Chinese activities monitored near Pag-asa Island. In a statement Thursday, the Department of National Defense (DND) said any encroachment or reclamation on the features in the WPS is a threatto the security of Pag-asa Island, which is part of the country’s sovereign territory. The DND said such actions also endanger the marine environment and undermine the stability of the region. “We strongly urge China to uphold the prevailing rules-based international order and refrain from acts that will exacerbate tensions in the WPS and the larger South China Sea,” the statement read.

Requjo, R., & Ramos-Araneta, M. (2022, December 23). Gov't to boost troops in WPS. Manila Standard, pp. A1, A2.