RP military chiefs visit Spratly

Thu, 26 Dec 1996, 00:00 WIB | Source: AFP

MANILA (AFP): Philippine military chief Lt. Gen. Arnulfo
Acedera and the commanders of the country's army, air force and
navy made a surprise inspection visit yesterday to a Filipino-
held island in the Spratly chain, sources here said.

On Kalayaan, the largest of seven islands secured by the
Philippines, Acedera announced plans to upgrade an existing
military airstrip and to build a new garrison, radio station DZRH
reported here.

Sources close to the armed forces confirmed the visit but gave
no other details. Military spokesmen here were unavailable for
comment yesterday.

The strategically located South China Sea chain, believed to
be sitting on vast oil and mineral deposits, and the surrounding
waters are claimed in part or whole by Brunei, China, Malaysia,
the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

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