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Although Chinese officials stated that China is in control over some islands in the Philippine territory, Malacañang Palace promised to support the school built on one of the islets in the West Philippine Sea.
According to a report, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that the school on Pag-asa Island, which is part of the Spratly Islands, should be supported by government because it is in the island that is part of the province of Palawan founded since the Marcos Administration.
The school have started their classes early this June with five kindergarten students.
“I think it is irresponsibility on our part if we do not provide services to our fellow Filipinos in that particular municipality,” Lacierda said in a report.
The Presidential spokesman also added that they will be informed by the Department of Education and the local officials concerning the school’s primary needs in order to provide the necessary assistance coming from the goverment.
“They are Filipinos and we will provide for them. The President (Benigno Aquino III) mentioned that no one should be left behind. We will provide them with services as the public officials would inform us the need of their community,”
Meanwhile, Chinese official Hong Lei stated that the school built on Pag-asa Island is an “illegal activity that may infringe on China’s sovereignty.”
The Spratly Islands, which is being claimed by Southeast Asian countries such as China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines, is believed to be abundant in oil, gas and other resources.
