RP military chiefs visit Spratly

RP military chiefs visit Spratly

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.