MANILA, Philippines — Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio called on the Philippine government to protest China's establishment of a maritime rescue center on Kagitingan or Fiery Cross Reef in the West Philippine Sea. "This means we are recognizing that China has a right to occupy and use Fiery Cross Reef. Putting up a maritime rescue center on Kagitingan Reef is an act of administration, which is essential to acquiring sovereignty, according to the SC magistrate. Malacañang, on the other hand, said Beijing's maritime rescue center on the island could help everybody. Kagitingan Reef is one of China's "big three" islands in the Spratly group, where Beijing had installed missile systems and electronic jamming equipment.

Source: Philippine Star January 31, 2019 08:10 UTC