PH military drafts defense plan against China

By Balitang America Staff, ABS-CBN North America Bureau

May 6, 2014

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – The Philippine military has come up with a four-year plan to tighten the security fence in the areas disputed with China.

The Philippine military said the plan is to stop China from increasing its presence in the disputed areas, especially those rich in oil and natural resources.

China’s increased presence in the area has reportedly delayed the Philippines’ plans to start offshore oil and natural gas drilling activities off Palawan — an island province facing the West Philippine Sea where these fields are located.

The move is also reportedly meant to protect Filipino fishermen from being harassed by Chinese vessels and aircrafts.

The plan includes beefing up military forces of the Western command units in occupied islands while increasing the presence of the Northern command units in the Scarborough Shoal.