Philippine News Agency
PH flag raised on Sandy Cay to assert sovereign rights – Palace
National Security Council (NSC) assistant director general Jonathan Malaya refuted claims made by the China Coast Guard (CCG) that it had seized Pag-asa (Sandy) Cay, stating there is no truth to the declaration.
Malaya emphasized that Philippine sovereignty over Pag-asa Cays 1, 2, and 3 remains and that no illegal seizure occurred.
He urged Beijing and its coast guard to exercise restraint and avoid escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea, while also criticizing Chinese state media for irresponsible announcements.
The NSC's statement serves to debunk the CCG's claims and reassure the public that the Pag-asa Cays have not been lost.
Previously, Philippine authorities raised the national flag on Sandy Cay on April 28, 2025, as conducted by the Joint Task Unit-Pag-asa, to assert sovereignty and counter China's assertions.
This operation, involving the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard, and PNP-Maritime Group, covered Pag-asa Cays 1, 2, 3, and 4, directly contradicting a CCG statement from April 25, 2025.
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China has seized control of Sandy Cay, a disputed reef just five nautical miles from the Philippine-controlled Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.
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Senator Francis Tolentino filed Senate Resolution 1347, urging the Senate to condemn China's "provocative and illegal actions" on Sandy Cay (Pag-asa Cay 2) and other maritime features in the West Philippine Sea.
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House Speaker Martin Romualdez denounced China's claim of control over Sandy Cay as a "cheap stunt" and a violation of international law.
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The National Maritime Council (NMC) of the Philippines stated that China's claim of seizing Sandy Cay is a disinformation tactic to conceal its illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea.
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The Philippines conducted an inter-agency maritime operation to assert its sovereignty over Pag-asa Cays 1, 2, and 3, including their surrounding waters.
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