The Philippines will file a diplomatic protest against China for the latter’s reneging on its promise not to militarize artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea, defense chief Delfin Lorenzana said on Monday. Lorenzana’s comment followed a Dec. 30 broadcast of aerial footage by the official China Central Television (CCTV) showing Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef transformed into an airbase. At Malacañang, however, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said there’s no need for such protest as China’s promise of “good faith” concerns only land reclamation and not the setting up of structures – including military facilities – on artificial islands Chinese forces already occupy.

Mendez, C. (2018, January 10). Lorenzana: Phl to protest China airbase on Kagitingan. The Philippine Star, pp. 1, 2.