PH raises flag on Sandy Cay to debunk China’s claim

April 29 ------ Philippine authorities on Monday raised the country's flag on Sandy Cay, debunking China’s claims that it had seized the area. “This operation affirms the Philippines’ sovereignty over the cays located within 12 nautical miles of Pag-asa Island, Municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan, in the West Philippine Sea,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines said in a statement. “The flag-raising debunks the statement published by China Coast Guard (CCG) on April 25, 2025, claiming control over Pag-asa Cay 2. Philippine authorities believe CCG’s photo does not reflect the current situation in the area,” it added.

The flag raising was conducted by the Joint Task Unit-Pag-asa composed of Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine National Police-Maritime Group during an inter-agency maritime operation on Pag-asa Cays 1, 2, 3 and 4. Earlier today, Chinese coast guard spokesperson Liu Dejun said in a statement Sunday evening that six personnel from the Philippines had earlier that day "illegally boarded" Sandy Cay, which it calls Tiexian Reef, despite "warnings and dissuasion" from the Chinese side.

Liu said that Chinese coast guard personnel then "boarded the reef and investigated and dealt with it in accordance with the law." The statement did not provide further details on the encounter or the identities of the six people from the Philippines. "We urge the Philippines to immediately stop its infringement," Liu said, adding that the actions "violated China's territorial sovereignty."

The Philippine Navy denied China’s claim that it has occupied Sandy Cay, saying that it is meant to divert the attention of the public amid allegations of Chinese spies and an alleged troll farm hired by the Chinese Embassy in Manila in 2023.

Source: gmanetwork.com