Pag-asa Island construction stopped due to bad weather, says AFP spokesman

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<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DN-BAkHmULU?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>MANILA - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said constructions continue on Philippine-occupied Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the West Philippine Sea.However, AFP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said weather and logistics issues have temporarily halted construction to improve the facilities on the island.&quot;We have to improve it and we are improving it, especially so we need to improve on the airstrip,&quot; Arevalo said on ANC&#x27;s Headstart.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/29/19/hundreds-of-chinese-vessels-circling-pag-asa-island-military">Hundreds of Chinese vessels circling Pag-asa Island: military</a></li></ul>Pag-asa island is the largest island occupied by the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea. Its 1.3-kilometer runway, built in the 1970s, needs repair and improvements. Arevalo said the halt in construction was not due to Chinese ships monitored before in the area.&quot;It has nothing to do with that,&quot; he said.Last April, the Philippines filed a protest over the reported presence of a large number of Chinese vessels around Pag-asa Island.A Reuters report in July said the island was in the midst of major upgrades to its dilapidated <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/23/19/philippines-mulls-tourists-for-pag-asa-island-bolstering-s-china-sea-claims">facilities</a>, especially its airstrip. &quot;If it rains, you need 5 days after that, provided the sun will rise intently, for us to dry that up and to allow aircraft to land,&quot; Arevalo said.He said the construction activities on Pag-asa Island are not just meant to reiterate Philippine presence in the area but also to serve Filipinos who live or stay on the island. &quot;We have Filipino citizens there. That is a municipality of Kalayaan Island Group,&quot; he said.

AFP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said weather and logistics issues temporarily halted construction on the Philippine-occupied Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.

AFP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said weather and logistics issues temporarily halted construction on the Philippine-occupied Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.

Pag-asa Island construction stopped due to bad weather, says AFP spokesman | ABS-CBN

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Pag-asa Island construction stopped due to bad weather, says AFP spokesman

Pag-asa Island construction stopped due to bad weather, says AFP spokesman

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 19, 2019 11:55 AM PHT

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Updated Sep 19, 2019 12:11 PM PHT

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Pag-asa Island

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West Philippine Sea

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