The Philippines assailed China yesterday for contesting Manila’s planned repair and maintenance works on some islands in the West Philippine Sea, saying they are “in no way comparable” to the Asian power’s massive reclamation activities which are in violation of international laws. “The Philippines’ possible undertaking of necessary maintenance and repairs on its existing facilities in the West Philippine Sea, over which the Philippines rightfully exercises sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, is no way comparable to China’s massive reclamation activities, which not only violate international law and UNCLOS but also unnecessarily raise regional tensions,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Charles Jose said, referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Lee-Brago, P., Calica, A., & Laude, J. (2015, March 29). Phl hits back at China over sea infra work. The Philippine Star, p. 8.