China again issues radio challenge vs. PH forces patrolling Pag-asa Island

Pag-asa Island, Palawan – Philippine military forces patrolling the disputed waters of the West Philippine Sea – in what would be a symbolic move ahead of the Philippine Independence Day – were met by a radio challenge by China on Tuesday, June 3.

It marked the second straight week that the Chinese Coast Guard issued a radio exchange while the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was en route to Pag-asa Island in Palawan.

Journalists, including the team of NewsWatch Plus, who joined the maritime patrol heard the radio challenge just a few minutes before landing.

“There was one radio challenge that we heard but hindi na ito nagprosper and with that ang sagot ng ating mga piloto [but it did not prosper and our pilots responded]. Of course we are attesting and upholding our sovereign rights in the area,” AFP Spokesperson Francel Padilla told reporters in Pag-asa Island.

Pag-asa Island is the administrative center of the Kalayaan municipality of Palawan province, administering several other islets, cays and reefs in the Spratly Islands.

The AFP has been doubling down on efforts to make the civilian settlement flourish, with free air and ship shuttles for its residents as well as teachers and aid workers.

Padilla said work on the airstrip and runway have been completed, with a hangar ready. Construction for civilian infrastructure like the lighthouse and new school buildings are underway.

“This is a maritime patrol. It serves two purposes. It is both operational so kanina before we landed, nagconduct na nga tayo ng aerial maritime patrol [earlier, before we landed, we conducted an aerial maritime patrol] and for the upcoming days we’ll see more of the island,” Padilla said.

“This is both operational as well as symbolic. We’d like to have this activity as we celebrate our 126th Kalayaan,” she added.