President Duterte on Thursday said he had ordered troops to deploy to and fortify unoccupied South China Sea islands and reefs claimed by the Philippines, a move that could provoke rival claimants, including China. Mr. Duterte also announced that he may visit Pagasa Island, internationally known as Thitu Island, and raise the Philippine flag there on Independence Day, June 12. “It looks like everybody is making a grab for the islands there, so we better live on those that are still vacant,” Mr. Duterte told reporters during a visit to the headquarters of the Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan province, near the disputed Spratly archipelago.

Anda, R. D. (2017, April 7). Du30: Occupy PH islands in South China Sea. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A2.