Ships of Chinese Coast Guard are seen near Chinese oil rig Haiyang Shi You 981 in the South China Sea, about 210 km offshore of Vietnam.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte was aware of proposals for Grande and Chiquita islands at the mouth of the former US naval base at Subic Bay as well as the isolated northern island of Fuga, but would not elaborate. Military spokesman Brigadier-General Edgard Arevalo said Tuesday the government should study the security implications of handing over the islands to foreign entities.
“While we approve of our economy getting a boost… we should also consider the security aspect that may be compromised if we fail to adequately study the implications of leasing these to foreigners,” Arevalo added.