THE Philippines could have prevented Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea had the Aquino administration acted on intelligence reports about their reclamation activities in the area, a military official said on Monday. Southern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., during the confirmation of his ad interim appointment before the Commission on Appointments, said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported all reclamation activities in 2013 and 2014. “What we are saying is that the security and protection of these areas should not be left to the Armed Forces. For instance in the West Philippine Sea alone, and I’m not talking alone about the contested area, I’m talking about Cagayan up to Zambales. We are losing $79 billion worth of fish in that area alone,” Parlade continued.

Source: Manila Times August 24, 2020 16:07 UTC