MANILA/BEIJING, May 14 — The Philippines said yesterday it would keep a closer guard on reefs, shoals and islets in its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, as Beijing denied accusations of building an artificial island in the disputed waters.

MANILA, May 13 — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is committed to sustaining a presence in a disputed area of the South China Sea to ensure China does not carry out reclamation activities at Sabina Shoal, its spokesman said today.