February 22, New Delhi: A Philippine lawmaker visited the Philippines-held Thitu Island in disputed waters on Saturday, calling for closer defense cooperation and continued resistance against China's claims in the South China Sea.
Thitu Island, also known as Pag-asa in the Philippines, is home to approximately 400 Filipinos, mostly fishermen and their families.
The lawmaker stated that Filipinos were not prepared to cede any portion of the West Philippine Sea, Manila's preferred term for the waters off its western coast.
While welcoming stronger treaty ties with the United States in recent years, the lawmaker added that Manila hopes to bring more like-minded nations into the fold.
