Philippine
President Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday he plans to visit an island the
Philippines claims in the disputed South China Sea and raise the Philippine
flag.
Duterte told
reporters he would also fortify the island of Thitu with barracks.
China claims
almost the entire South China Sea, where about $5 trillion worth of seaborne
goods pass every year. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan
also have claims.
Duterte said
he plans to visit Thitu on Independence Day in June.
Thitu is
close to Subi Reef, one of seven manmade islands in the Spratlys that China is
accused of militarizing with surface-to-air missiles, among other armaments.
*REUTERS*
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