Spratly case could go to UN

Spratly case could go to UN

MANILA (Reuters): President Joseph Estrada said on Monday the Philippines could take Malaysia's occupation of a disputed reef in the Spratly Islands to the United Nations.

Estrada made the statement to reporters in reaction to Manila press reports that Malaysia had ignored a Philippine protest over the issue, a presidential palace statement said.

It quoted Estrada as saying: "That's up to them (Malaysia). But at least we have entered our complaint. But we have other alternatives. We can bring this before the UN."

Manila filed its protest last week after the Philippine Air Force reported sighting a concrete structure built by Malaysia on Erica Reef in the Spratlys, a cluster of potentially oil-rich isles in the South China Sea.

The isles are claimed wholly or in part by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.