JULY 17, 2011

NR # 2468B

1B for new structures sought to solidify PHL claim over Kalayaan islands
Lawmakers have asked the government to solidify the countrys claim over the hotlycontested Kalayaan group of islands by building new structures that will not only increase local defensive capabilities but also promote Philippine tourism. In House Bill 4892, Reps. Rufus Rodriguez (2ndDistrict, Cagayan de Oro City) and Maximo Rodriguez (Party-list, Abante Mindanao) sought a P1billion-allocation for the improvement and fortification of existing structures and the construction of new facilities in the islands such as harbors and berthing facilities. The Cagayan de Oro lawmaker said the country must build more structures and fortify its defense of the Kalayaan islands in order to protect its sovereignty and strengthen its claim over these islands. These islands have been the subject of claims of different countries including Vietnam, Palau, Malaysia and China, Rodriguez said. Rodriguez said the Philippine government has contested the unilateral partial submission by Vietnam saying this overlaps with those of the Philippines. The Philippines also contested the submission by the Republic of Palau, establishing the outer limits of its continental shelf that lie beyond 200 nautical miles, saying the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea of Palau is measured overlaps with the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines, Rodriguez added. The different claimants, particularly China, have built strong fortifications and military structures in the islands surrounding the Kalayaan islands. On several instances, Chinese gunboats even confiscated fishing nets of Filipino fishermen,Rodriguez said. These increasing Chinese intrusions and their illegal occupation of Mischief (Panganiban) Reef are already alarming to the countrys security, Rodriguez stressed. According to Rodriguez, in order to strengthen our claim and protect our sovereignty, we need to build more structures and fortify our defense of these islands, particularly the construction of a safe harbor as well as the repair of the Rancudo airfield on Pag-Asa Island. Aside from solidifying our claim, the construction of structures in the Kalayaan Islands would also improve the tourism industry in the islands, Rodriguez said. Kalayaan island is a 5th class municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines with a population of about 300 to 400 people. It has one barangay, Pag-Asa, and a 1.3-kilometer airstrip

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