China building concrete barriers on Mabini Reef

MANILA, Philippines - Despite Philippine protests, China is building concrete sea barriers on a reclaimed area of the Mabini (Johnson South) Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands.

The Philippines is protesting China’s reclamation projects in the region, but this was simply dismissed by Beijing as being without basis.

Beijing said its claim to almost the entire South China is indisputable.

“Along with the ongoing reclamation activity at the reef is the construction of concrete sea barriers on the already reclaimed area,” said Palawan-based fishing operator Haji Pasi Abdulpatah, whose group has been fishing regularly in the area.

Aside from Mabini Reef, Abdulpatah confirmed reports that China has ongoing reclamation projects in at least three of their occupied reefs.

China is currently occupying eight reefs in the disputed territories, of which two – Panganiban (Mischief) and Subic – have been developed into a naval facility.

Beijing is also trying to dislodge Filipino troops guarding a maritime domain at Ayungin Shoal on board a grounded Philippine Navy ship, BRP Sierra Madre.

Chinese coast guard vessels are guarding the shoal.

Another group of local fishermen claimed that on several occasions, they sighted Chinese vessels lingering near Recto (Reed) Bank, where the Philippines has an ongoing oil exploration project.

Recto Bank, located within the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ), is believed to contain huge oil and mineral deposits.

Earlier, local fishermen from Barangay Bangkalaan in Balabac town reported an increase in China’s maritime patrol operations at Hasa-Hasa (Half Moon) Shoal.