Teodoro: China a squatter in WPS

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro yesterday accused China of being a “squatter” in the West Philippine Sea, citing Chinese presence within the Philippines’ 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“Illegal occupation is on their end. If the Philippines occupied Hainan Island, that would be an illegal occupation. But they’re the ones within our 200-mile EEZ. They’re the squatters. They’re illegal occupants here,” Teodoro said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum.

The defense secretary was responding to accusations made by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning earlier this week that the Philippines illegally occupied Pag-asa Island.

“I don’t want to laugh (at the accusation) because it would be disrespectful. Maybe we should ask what they meant. They might say they have indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea. But how many would believe that?” Teodoro added.

Pag-asa Island is 174 miles west of Palawan and is home to a small Filipino civilian community.

It is among the islands and reefs within the South China Sea that China claims to be part of its territory despite the 2016 arbitration case the Philippines won before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

The Chinese government has been defending how its naval forces have been hounding the island, with Chinese ships harassing Philippine vessels on multiple occasions.

Asked about the most recent attempt of a Chinese ship to cut off a Philippine navy vessel near Pag-asa Island, Teodoro said he could no longer say it was “an isolated incident.”

“On my end, President Marcos’ instructions are whatever happens… we will never stop with our operations in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

“They could apply for a visa. The (Bureau of Immigration) would surely give them one. I’m clueless as to why they won’t apply,” the secretary said in jest.

Aside from its recent acquisition of 40 patrol boats, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will be procuring two 19-seater airplanes to intensify maritime domain awareness over the West Philippine Sea and in search and rescue (SAR) missions.

“These two new airplanes would also complement our water patrol operations in the WPS,” PCG