Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano yesterday told critics of President Duterte's move to allow China to explore the Philippine Rise and let the militarization of Fiery Cross Reef pass to take a look at the larger picture. The government has been put on the defensive when Chinese state broadcaster China Central Television recently confirmed that Fiery Cross (Kagitingan) Reef has been transformed into a big island complete with a 3,125-meter runway capable of accepting fighter jets and bomber aircraft, radar stations and other military-grade facilities. The Chinese government’s has repeated denied that it has “militarized” the area.

Hachero, A. (2018, January 16). PH, China to discuss joint exploration next month. Malaya Business Insight, p. B2.