Philippines to expand civilian population in disputed Spratly Islands amid diplomatic row
Filipino leaders from Kalayaan and Chinese embassy officials in Manila have clashed over entry bans for personnel on either side
Local authorities in Kalayaan, which falls under the jurisdiction of Palawan province, were working on plans to grow the population beyond its current outpost on Thitu Island, known locally as Pagasa, and to the six other land masses under its administration, Vice-Mayor Maurice Phillip Albayda told This Week in Asia.
“Our trajectory under the leadership of our municipal mayor is to populate the other islands as well,” Albayda said. The move, aimed at boosting the local economy, was “on track”.
The council has been developing a comprehensive road map to pitch to the country’s Senate and House of Representatives, according to Albayda.
The vice-mayor’s statement comes amid a tense diplomatic tiff between Kalayaan’s municipal leaders and Chinese embassy officials in Manila.