Philippine settlers to Spratlys island - standing up to Communist China AP ^ | 9-23-02 | Jim Gomez
Philippine governor sends settlers to disputed Spratlys island to strengthen territorial claim Mon Sep 23, 7:57 AM ET By JIM GOMEZ, Associated Press Writer MANILA, Philippines - A Philippine governor said Monday he has sent settlers and officials to an island guarded by Filipino troops in the South China Sea's disputed Spratlys archipelago to boost his country's territorial claim to the area. Gov. Joel Reyes of western Palawan said about 90 Filipinos, including six families of fishermen, left the province Sunday aboard a navy ship for Pag-asa island in the Spratlys to try to build a community there. His move could provoke protests from China and other countries claiming some or all of the Spratly Islands, a potentially oil-rich group of islands, reefs and islets which many fear could be a source of major conflict in Asia. Reyes said he was aware of possible protests but would let defense and foreign affairs officials deal with that. The island was his province's 23rd town and his constituents have the right to start a life and exploit the resources there, he said. "Their plan is really to establish a community, like a field of dreams," Reyes told The Associated Press by telephone. "If they're able to build one, more people will come." ABS-CBS television showed several of the settlers boarding a navy ship for the 2-1/2 day sea voyage carrying bamboo cages of chickens and pigs. One man struggled to pull a goat onto the vessel; another carried a sack of rice. Barren Pag-asa has been occupied for years by Philippine troops and their dependents. The island is so remote that soldiers posted there on three-month shifts are given a "loneliness allowance." Philippine troops occupy eight islets in the Spratlys, which are also claimed by Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. Their conflicting claims have strained diplomatic relations in the past and led to bloody clashes in a few instances. Some claimants are discussing a code of conduct to prevent violence from erupting in the region. -- ------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems, etc DX-NEWS http://njdxa.org/dx-news DX-CHAT: http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX NEWS items only, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Archives http://www.mail-archive.com/dx-news%40pro-usa.net -------------------------------------------------------
