Malaysia invading Spratlys: Manila

Malaysia invading Spratlys: Manila

MANILA (AP): Structures recently built by Malaysia in disputed
areas of the South China Sea include facilities with military
purposes, a Philippine official said on Tuesday.

Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado said the structures built by
Malaysia on two reefs in the Spratly Islands have equipment such
as helicopter landing pads similar to that installed by China
earlier on another disputed reef.

After the Philippines protested to Malaysia over the
structures, Malaysia responded that the buildings were for
peaceful purposes such as the monitoring and preservation of
marine resources.

Last Friday, the Philippines presented a protest note to a
Malaysian Embassy official over Malaysia's construction of a two-
story building and a helipad on Erica Reef, about 525 kilometers
west of Puerto Princesa, capital of the western Philippine
province of Palawan.