The Philippines military chief General Romeo Brawner told reporters on Monday (Jan 15) that it will develop islands in the South China Sea that it considers part of its territory. The nation is aiming to make the islands more habitable for troops.
The announcement might further escalate the tensions between China and the Philippines as both assert claims over territory in the South China Sea. Beijing and Manila have also traded accusations of aggressive behaviour in the strategic waterway.
Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla is the first female soldier to hold the spokesperson post for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.AFP chief General Romeo Braw
The Armed Forces of the Philippines mentions the possibility of multilateral patrols with other allies, but no plans or agreements have been formalized as of writing