PH debunks China’s claim on Pagasa Cays control

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Philippines has denied the claim of China that it has seized control of disputed tiny sandbanks near Pagasa Island in the West Philippine Sea.

“There is no proof whatsoever to the claim of the Chinese Coast Guard that the Pagasa Cays have been seized,” Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general of the National Security Council, said in a briefing on Monday, April 28.

“Therefore, we urge the People's Republic of China and the Chinese Coast Guard to act with restraint and not increase tensions in the West Philippine Sea,” Malaya said.

He also said China must uphold its commitment to the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, wherein it was agreed there will be no occupation moving forward of unoccupied features.

“Sandy Cay, maliit lang ito na feature, buhangin lamang, it can’t sustain life,” said Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.

“But on that cay we rest our sovereignty… Pinaglalaban natin ‘yan sapagkat yan ay atin. Importante ang Sandy Cay sa atin just as any feature in the West Philippine Sea is part and parcel of Philippine territory,” Trinidad added.

[Translation: Sandy Cay is a small feature, a sandbank, it can’t sustain life. But on that cay we rest our sovereignty. We fight for it because it is ours. Sandy Cay is important to us just as any feature in the West Philippine Sea is part and parcel of Philippine territory.]

The National Task Force-West Philippine Sea said the country’s forces completed on Sunday a maritime operation in the three cays near Thitu Island (Pag-asa), where the Philippines maintains a military outpost and a coast guard station.

Four teams from the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard, and Police Maritime Group were deployed to Pag-asa Cay 1, 2, and 3 as part of a routine patrol asserting Philippine jurisdiction.

“We have provided photos and videos to tell the Filipino people that the national government is doing everything that is necessary for us to make sure that we’re not going to lose an inch of our territory,” said Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.

During the operation, Philippine forces spotted China Coast Guard vessel 5102 about 1,000 yards east of Cay 2, along with seven Chinese maritime militia vessels near Cay 2 and Cay 3.

Tarriela added the operation showed the Philippines can debunk “the lie and misinformation” of China’s alleged occupation on the disputed sandbank.

The patrol followed reports from Chinese state media that Beijing’s coast guard “implemented maritime control” over Sandy Cay, or what they call Tiexian Reef, this month.

According to CCTV, Chinese personnel landed on the reef, planted a Chinese flag, and collected video evidence of what it called “illegal activities” by the Philippine side.

However, reports also indicated that the Chinese coast guard left shortly after and there are no signs of permanent occupation or new structures.

Senator Risa Hontiveros criticized China’s actions, calling them a “photoshoot gimmick” and “another spectacle orchestrated by Beijing.”

“International law affirms that Sandy Cay is part of the West Philippine Sea, no self-respecting State would take it to mean that China now has sovereign rights over it,” she said in a statement on Monday.

Hontiveros urged the government to take “appropriate action” to safeguard the country’s claims, warning that inaction could undermine the Philippines’ presence on Pag-asa Island.

Hontiveros expects the Department of Foreign Affairs will file a diplomatic protest. She also called for more coast guard patrols in the area.