The Department of National Defense (DND) denied yesterday reports that China was conducting reclamation activities in the disputed Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in Zambales. Defense Undersecretary Eduardo del Rosario told the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, chaired by Sen. Richard Gordon, that separate reports from the Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command and the Navy showed there was no reclamation in the area. The committee is conducting an inquiry into the destructive mining in Zambales since 2013 where the soil from mountains in the province was being used for reclamation activities of China in the disputed waters as alleged by Gov. Amor Deloso in a previous hearing.

Romero, P. (2016, October 18). No China reclamation in Panatag – DND. The Philippine Star, p. 14.