The Philippines on Monday strongly criticized two lighthouses China constructed in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), charging that they were covert mean of enforcing Beijing's claims to the disputed waters. The angry statement came despite China's efforts to soothe tensions over its South China Sea claims during a forum with ASEAN countries last week. “We are strongly opposed to China’s construction and operation of lighthouses on Cuateron Reef and Johnson Reef,” said Charles Jose, a spokesman of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

PH hits China's lighthouses in two disputed reefs. (2015, October 20). The Manila Times, p. A8.