By VICTOR REYES
Malaya Business Insight
THE Department of National Defense yesterday downplayed China’s reported construction of a lighthouse at the Subi reef in the disputed Spratly Islands, saying the structure was probably old, put up eight years ago.
In a phone interview, DND spokesman Eduardo Batac added however that the military will conduct a surveillance flight to determine if there are really new Chinese structures at Subi. “Apparently, these are old structures (but) we are going to verify this just to be sure… We are going to send a reconnaissance fight there just to verify,” Batac said.
Subi reef is currently occupied by Chinese forces but is being claimed by the Philippines. An agreement had been signed in 2002 prohibiting the countries with claims to the Spratlys against fortifying structures in the area.
Aside from China and the Philippines, the other nations claiming the Spratlys in part or in whole are Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam. The chain of islands, islets, reefs and atolls is believed to be rich in oil and minerals.
Reports had it that aerial shots taken by the Air Force in October showed the 20×20 meter structure complete with parabolic antenna and domes on the Subi reef, about 26 kms southwest of Pagasa island, one of the nine islands and islets occupied by Filipino forces.
Batac said they have information that the lighthouse at Subi reef had been there even before the declaration of conduct was forged in 2002. “That’s how we conceive it right now, these are old structures which dates back prior to the declaration of conduct of parties in the South China Sea…Our (belief) is that there are no new structures on the disputed reef,” said Batac.
If the surveillance flight confirms new structures at Subi reef, Batac said authorities will formulate actions to be taken. “We will decide on what do about it but basically, if that happens, we’ll have to coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs because anything that would require international (action) will have to be coursed through the DFA. Our action should not be unilateral,” said Batac.
Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Miguel Ernesto Oko belied that the Air Force took aerial shots of Subi reef last October but said they are capable of doing so as they conduct surveillance flights regularly. “Those are not from us,” he said of the reported aerial shots taken by the Air Force.
Okol did not say when was the last time the Air Force conducted a surveillance flight at Spratlys and if it monitored the construction of the lighthouse in the disputed area then.
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