Beijing has stridently opposed every improvement on Batanes, which falls within some versions of its nine-dash line.
Wait a fucking minute, is #China trying to claim #Batanes from us? A province that has been indisputably an integral part of the #Philippines for centuries?? :wriggle_what:
"Deliberately grounded on a tiny reef in the #SouthChinaSea, part of an island chain claimed by the two Asian countries, the #BRPSierraMadre is now the unlikely base for a detachment of Filipino marines who stand guard over the atoll, scanning the turquoise waters for Chinese ships." #AyunginShoal#SecondThomasShoal#Philippines
The patrols involve three navy ships and three fighter-jets from the Philippine military, which were to be joined by one littoral combat ship and one aircraft from the #American side.
On Tuesday, the Philippine Air Force’s #FA50 light combat aircraft flew in tandem with the US Air Force’s #F15C fighter jets and C-130 from #Batanes to the #WestPhilippineSea to test joint flight doctrines and further enhance interoperability, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. #Philippines#US#SouthChinaSea
A total of 126 reservists – all of whom are #Ivatan or local residents of #Batanes – would attend the graduation ceremony in #Basco town on Saturday, March 9, according to the Naval Forces Northern Luzon which is under the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Northern Luzon Command.
Makulimlim at mahangin ang panahon sa Brgy. San Antonio, Basco, Batanes ngayon araw, Hulyo 25, dulot ng Bagyong Egay. Itinala ng PAGASA na Signal No.3 ang lagay ng Batanes.