China’s recent installation of weapons on artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea was “very troubling,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Tuesday, after Manila quietly protested Beijing’s activities. The Department of Foreign Affairs sent a note verbale to the Chinese Embassy last month after confirming a report from the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies about China’s arms buildup in the Spratlys. The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (Amti), a US think tank, has also said it has been tracking construction of hexagonal structures on Kagitingan (Fiery Cross), Panganiban (Mischief) and Zamora (Subi) reefs since June and July last year. China has built airstrips on these islands, capable of accommodating large military aircraft.

Balana, C. (2017, January 18). PH troubled by China arms buildup in Spratlys. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A4.