DND tells China to stop construction activities at Johnson South Reef

Johnson South Reef map courtesy of the Dalston Literary Review.

MANILA — Stressing that its actions at the Johnson South Reef are destabilizing regional peace, Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Dr. Peter Paul Galvez told China Wednesday to “stop immediately” its construction activities at the disputed territory.

“This activity contravenes the spirit of the DOC[Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which was signed by China and the Asean last Nov. 4, 2002] and a security concern of all the region,” he stressed.

The DOC which was signed by the Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Cambodia, and China, stipulates that all parties involved will exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability.

This includes the refrain from action of inhabiting on the presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features and to handle their differences in a constructive manner.

“These provocative acts, which they should immediately stop, further disturbs the fabric of regional peace and stability,” Galvez stressed.

Johnson Reef lies about 263 nautical miles away from Puerto Princesa, Palawan and 190 nautical miles from the tip of Balabac, Palawan.

Galvez made this statement in wake of reports that China is now conducting “earthmoving” activities at Johnson South Reef.

Earlier reports claimed that China is constructing an airfield between 300 to 500 meters in length for use of its aircraft.

Galvez said “earthmoving” activities started between January and February this year.

He added Philippine aerial patrols spotted the construction during their reconnaissance flights.

Johnson South Reef came under Chinese control following two bloody naval skirmishes with Vietnam, which took place in 1975 and 1988, and resulted in the brutal beating of Vietnamese naval forces involved.

In the March 14, 1988 encounter alone, two Vietnamese armed transports were sunk after a gun battle with Chinese frigates.

Seventy Vietnamese sailors were killed while no losses were incurred by the China side.