Philippines claims Thitu Island (Đảo Thị Tứ) in South China Sea

Dec 28, 2012- Filipinos have settled on Thitu Island as a means to strengthen the country's claim on the Spratlys.

Thitu Island

Thitu Island (Vietnamese: Đảo Thị Tứ) is at the centre of one of the biggest territorial disputes in the world.

It is part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, which are believed to be sitting on billions of dollars’ worth of oil and gas reserves.

Six countries claim ownership of the tiny archipelago, including the Philippines, which has people living on Thitu Island as a means to strengthen its claim on the Spratlys.

Al Jazeera's Jamela Alindogan reports from the Spratlys in the South China Sea.