By Priam F. Nepomuceno
MANILA, May 6 (PNA) — The Department of National Defense (DND) on Wednesday denied reports made by China claiming that the Philippines is building structures on disputed islets and features at the West Philippine Sea.
“If there is one thing we are certain of, we know that they are very good at concocting stories and misleading statements,” DND spokesperson Dr. Peter Paul Galvez said.
He added that the Philippines is not engaged in any construction or reclamation projects in any of its territories at the West Philippine Sea.
“They are saying too many things that now they are confused. What they should do is to stop all activities in (the) West Philippine Sea reclamation, dismantle structures and apologize to the international community for the massive environmental degradation they committed.
The DND spokesperson also stressed that the Philippines is not provoking China.
“They are the ones provoking and dragging peace focused nations into this tense situation. All other nations have been dealing with this in a peaceful, diplomatic and rules based manner,” he added.
Earlier, the DND said that the Philippines strongly complies with the Declaration of the Code of Conduct between China and ASEAN which was signed in 2002.
Under the agreement, signatories are prohibited from constructing new facilities in the disputed areas and exercise self restraint. (PNA)