Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Manila will lodge a diplomatic complaint with Beijing over what it says is the militarization of man-made islands by China in the South China Sea.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s plans to deploy troops to islands in the disputed South China Sea and personally plant a flag there indicate the country has tired of China’s maritime expansion, despite friendly relations since October.
China voiced its surprise and concern about the latest development at a regular press briefing Friday. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Beijing is speaking with the Philippines about the planned deployment and hopes to resolve the matter soon.
The United States has also criticized Chinese militarization of the islands for being potentially disruptive to the flow of trade through the waterway.
Despite the deterring relations with US, Philippines need US maritime support. Both, US and Phillippines, have common interest to cooperate despite the soar relations.
