The Philippines will follow the lead of China and Vietnam and develop islands under its control in the disputed South China Sea, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Tuesday. “My plan of action is also to develop all the islands there because they are occupied by us,” Lorenzana said, referring to China’s aggressive posturing in the South China Sea and evidence of its massive reclamation projects in various disputed islets and atolls. The government has alloted funding for the rehabilitation of a runway at the Philippine-held Pagasa Island, a few nautical miles away from Puerto Princesa.

Casas, B., Tuyay, F., & Barcelo V. (2018, January 10). PH steps up island devt in China sea. Manila Standard, pp. A1, A2.