The Philippines strongly urged China to stop reclamation work on a disputed submerged reef within its exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday. A Navy commander said Thursday that China had started dredging around the disputed Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, signaling Beijing may be preparing to expand its facilities in the area. China claims the entire South China Sea, believed to be rich in oil and gas deposits. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims on the sea where about $5 trillion of ship-borne trade annually.

Lee-Brago, P. (2015, February 7). Phl urges China to halt reclamation work on reef. The Philippine Star, p. 6.