WHILE security tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) have attracted a lot of reports, very little attention has been focused on the resources that have been withheld by China within our exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This article will discuss what we are losing and why we need to get them back.

The EEZ has an estimated area of 2.2 million square kilometers (sq km), which is even bigger than our total land area of 300,000 sq km. On a recent visit to Pag-asa Island with the Philippine Air Force Multi-Sector Governance Council, we were able to see for ourselves the presence of a long flotilla of Chinese militia ships, coast guard vessels and even a naval ship sailing just off Pag-asa Island.