China's artificial islands in the South China Sea can 'make it impossible' to settle the Philippines' historic case against the Asian giant, a US-based analyst says

JEOPARDIZING CASE? The Philippines fears China is turning Mabini Reef in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) into an island. This image dated Feb 25, 2014 shows ongoing reclamation activities. Photo courtesy of DFA

MANILA, Philippines The Philippines should work with Vietnam in accurately surveying the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea before China completes its artificial islands in the area, an analyst said.

In an interview published by Deutsche Welle on Friday, September 19, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) analyst Gregory Poling explained that these artificial islands can make it more difficult, if not impossible to settle the Philippines' case against China.

In the meantime, the one thing this should get Manila and Hanoi to do is make a concerted effort to short-circuit China's attempts to hide the real status of features by accurately surveying them now before further reclamation works make it impossible to determine their original geography, Poling said.

The Philippines claims parts of the South China Sea as the West Philippine Sea. Vietnam also says it owns parts of the disputed waters. (READ: Vietnam to Philippines: United, we will win)

Poling, a Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies fellow at the Washington-based CSIS, made his suggestion as China continued its reclamation activities in the South China Sea.

Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said he fears China is building a military base in the West Philippine Sea through its reclamation activities.

'Changing facts on the ground'

In fact, on September 9, the Philippine Navy said it has seen structures resembling lighthouses on two reefs in the West Philippine Sea.

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Survey Spratlys before it's too late, Philippines urged