The Philippine military says it plans to build infrastructure on remote islands and reefs it effectively controls in the South China Sea.

The chief of staff of the Philippine military says the development will include equipment for military personnel to live there.
He added that the country will deploy more ships, aircraft and radar equipment in the future to strengthen its defenses.

The Philippines effectively controls a total of 9 islands and reefs in the South China Sea. The country is trying to update its facilities there, partly due to typhoon damage. China is also building a huge artificial island nearby.

In December, the Philippines set up a new Coast Guard station with radar and ship-tracking equipment on Thitu Island. It's the largest territory controlled by the Philippines in the Spratly Islands.

Since last year, tensions between Manila and Beijing have been rising over a series of incidents in the South China Sea amid conflicting claims of sovereignty.