31.   Manila last month accused Beijing of base-building on the spit, also known as Mischief Reef, and of detaining Filipino fishermen seeking shelter in the area.

32.   Philippine officials said the markers had so far been reported only by Filipino fishermen and still needed confirmation by the military.

33.   President Fidel Ramos visited the southwestern province of Palawan nearest the disputed Spratly islands Thursday and encouraged Filipino fishermen to fish in Manila-claimed Spratly waters.