China radar dome spotted on artificial island in Mischief Reef

China has constructed a radar dome on an artificial island in Mischief Reef, an area well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea.

According to Chino Gaston’s report on “24 Oras”, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative released the photos of the Chinese structure on July 8, a few days before the anniversary of the arbitral ruling which upheld the Philippines' EEZ over China's nine-dash-line claim.

Earlier, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo maintained the Award was final and could no longer be denied by anyone.

“These findings are no longer within the reach of denial and rebuttal and are conclusive as they are indisputable. The Award is final. We firmly reject attempts to undermine it; nay, even erase it from the law, history, and our collective memories. At the same time, we welcome the support of a growing list of countries for the Award,” he said in a statement.

State Secretary Anthony Blinken said the United States (US) was reaffirming its commitment to the mutual defense treaty with the Philippines.

“The United States reaffirms its July 13, 2020 policy regarding maritime claims in the South China Sea. We also reaffirm that an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the South China Sea would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty,” said Blinken in a press statement.

Australian Ambassador Steven Robinson urged all countries to adhere to the arbitral ruling.

“Today marks the 6th Anniversary of the South China Sea arbitral award. It’s important as ever the parties abide by the decision. Respect for international law, including UNCLOS, is fundamental to peace, prosperity, and stability in our region,” he said on Twitter.

Beijing has said it did not recognize the landmark ruling.

For his part, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said the Philippines will continue to uphold the award under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

“We export a lot of our goods to China. So we want to increase that while we...we are very firm in our stand as far as the arbitral award is concerned. But we will continue to have bilateral meetings. That, I think, is what President Marcos wants to do,” said Romualdez.

“While the strengthening of the military is a continuing thing, we've done that, we continue to do that, and I see that probably, even more, will be increased in the next couple of years,” he added.

Romualdez’s remarks were welcomed by former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario who was part of the delegation that fought for the country’s sovereignty in the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

“I think it's absolutely correct thing to do. I think we're counting on it greatly because it is actually the first declaration he made as soon as he was elected. We have the confidence that he will push through with what he had said,'' del Rosario said.

GMA News is still trying get a comment from the Chinese Embassy.  —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA News