'Welcome to CHINA' greets Philippine officials on trip to disputed South China Sea


Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela with Senator Risa Hontiveros during a visit to Philippine-occupied Thitu Island. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

THITU ISLAND, South China Sea (Reuters): As the Philippine Coast Guard plane descended toward the country's most strategically important outpost in the disputed South China Sea, passengers' phones lit up with a roaming alert: "Welcome to CHINA."

Among those on board were Senator Risa Hontiveros and Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela, both outspoken critics of Beijing's actions in the South China Sea.

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