Philippine defense and military officials to fly to the Spratly Islands next week

Philippine defense and military officials will fly to the Spratly Islands next week to inspect a Philippine military outpost and facilities on one of the islands.

The Philippines is looking at repairing and improving its military facilities and an airport on Pag-Asa Island, southwest of the country.

A spokesman says the inspection is not related to the tension between the Philippines and China resulting from the Manila hostage siege last month.

Officials also say it will not be in violation of the status quo being observed by claimant countries to the Spartleys because it is not a military endeavor.

China and ASEAN have agreed to a code of conduct requiring rival claimants to the Spratly Islands to refrain from action that would establish their presence in the south China sea.

The Spratley islands are claimed by the Philippines, China, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

A C-130 plane lands at the Philippine military base on Pag-Asa Island.

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