There is no reason to fear that tension could ignite between China and the Philippines because of President Rodrigo Duterte’s order for the military to occupy and develop the structures in the Philippine-held islands in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea (WPS)), according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

READ: Duterte: Occupy PH islands in South China Sea

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Lorenzana noted that the Philippines has long had possession of the islands in the Kalayaan group off Palawan.

“I don’t think there is any cause for concern. Those islands (Pagasa is the biggest) have been in our possession since the 1980s when then President (Ferdinand) Marcos declared the Kalayaan Island Group as a municipality of Palawan,” Lorenzana said in a text message.

“We have continuous presence there since then,” he added.

He also said that what Mr. Duterte had ordered was the putting up of facilities, such as living accommodations, a water and sewerage system, electricity, a lighthouse, and sanctuaries for fishermen.

Reports said China had expressed concern over Mr. Duterte’s directive to occupy Philippine-claimed islands in the South China Sea.

“We hope the Philippine side will continue to properly manage maritime disputes with China and work with us to maintain the sound and steady growth of China-Philippines relations,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a press briefing.

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