The Philippines considers as urgent the development of all islands and features covered by its territory in the West Philippine Sea.

In a press conference held at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday (January 15), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. announced a strategic focus on this plan to develop the islands being occupied by the country.

The move comes in the wake of escalating territorial tensions between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea.

The Philippines currently occupies nine maritime features collectively known as the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea. These areas, including Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, Pagasa (Thitu) Island, and Lawak (Nanshan) Island, are within the exclusive economic zone of the country.

During a command conference led by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Brawner expressed the urgency of improving all nine features, particularly the islands currently under Philippine occupation.

Notably, Thitu Island, locally known as Pag-asa, holds strategic importance as the largest among the occupied islands in the South China Sea, situated approximately 300 miles west of the Philippine province of Palawan.

The development plan includes bringing a desalination machine for troops stationed on a warship allegedly deliberately grounded on Second Thomas Shoal in 1999, reinforcing the Philippines' sovereignty claim over the region.

As part of the military's modernization efforts, the acquisition of additional ships, radars, and aircraft is underway.

This shift in focus from internal defense to territorial defense is seen as a response to the complex web of competing sovereignty claims by Brunei, China, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam in the South China Sea, a vital conduit for trade with an annual value exceeding $3 trillion.

The Philippine government's proactive stance aims to assert its territorial rights and enhance the overall development of the islands amidst the challenging geopolitical landscape in the region.