MANILA — A lawmaker at the House of Representatives is calling for a congressional probe on the reported deployment by China of missiles in the Spratly islands.
Muntinlupa City Rep. Ruffy Biazon, senior vice chair of the House national defense and security committee, has filed House Resolution No. 1856 urging the said panel to conduct an inquiry on this reported military intrusion within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“Following reports that China has installed missiles capable of hitting surface-to-surface and surface-to-air targets on reclaimed islands in the West Philippine Sea, I have filed a resolution in the House of Representatives calling for the appropriate committee to conduct an inquiry on the matter,” Biazon said on Thursday.
In his resolution, Biazon cited reports that China had deployed anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems on Kagitingan, Zamora, and Panganiban reefs in the Spratly archipelago, noting that these capabilities are well within the EEZ and national territory of the Philippines.
He said the deployment of military assets clearly has national security implications on the Philippines and should be taken seriously as a threat.
“A foreign military presence within our sovereign rights and sovereign territory, regardless of physical presence or projected capability to strike, should not be tolerated, especially if its presence is not upon invitation by the Philippines or covered by a mutual agreement or treaty,” he said. (PNA)
