Philippines to occupy South China Sea isles

MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday ordered troops to occupy uninhabited islands and shoals it claims in the disputed South China Sea, asserting Philippine sovereignty in an apparent change of tack likely to anger China. Duterte’s plan is unlikely to sit well with China, which lays claim to almost all the South China Sea, especially as it comes amid a fast-warming relationship in recent months. China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei and Vietnam contest all or parts of the South China Sea. China’s pursuit of territory in the South China Sea will be among the pressing security issues on the agenda.