The Philippines' military chief has flown to a Filipino-occupied island in the South China Sea amid territorial disputes in the area with China, vowing to defend the islet and help the mayor develop tourism and marine resources there.
Gen Gregorio Pio Catapang said his visit to Pag-asa Island on Monday established the fact that the island is part of western Palawan province's Kalaayan town and is therefore a Philippine territory.
He said he was coordinating with the mayor on how the military can help implement the local government's development plans, including launching tours to the island.
The visit comes amid protests in the Philippines over China's stepped-up reclamation work on Philippine-claimed islands and aggressive maneuvers against Filipino air patrols and fishermen.
