Senate condemns China's Sandy Cay seizure

On Monday, April 28, Philippine senators condemned China's alleged seizure of Sandy Cay in the West Philippine Sea as an 'outrageous assault' on Philippine sovereignty.

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino filed a resolution on Wednesday urging the Senate to condemn China's actions and assert the Philippines' sovereignty over the disputed areas in accordance with international law.

The senators, including Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada and Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros, pressed for immediate diplomatic protest and intensified maritime patrols to defend the West Philippine Sea.

Tolentino emphasized that China's actions constitute a violation of the Philippine Constitution and threaten regional peace and stability.

The resolution calls for legal, diplomatic, and operational measures to protect the Philippines' maritime zones and features in the WPS, including a comprehensive inquiry led by a Senate special committee.