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Philippine govt. refutes China claim of Sandy Cay ‘seizure’
By Nidz Godinoa
“No illegal seizure happened,” National Security Council (NSC) assistant director general Jonathan Malaya said at press briefing, while admonishing Beijing and its coast guard “to act with restraint and not increase tensions in West Philippine Sea, “no truth whatsoever” to China Coast Guard (CCG)’s declaration that it has seized Pag-asa (Sandy) Cay.
He also slammed Chinese state media for what he described as irresponsible announcements and statements on alleged seizure.
“The facts on the ground do not support this statement coming from Chinese Coast Guard,” Malaya said.
He said authorities had to call press conference to clarify matters and state for the record that Philippine sovereignty over Pag-asa Cays 1, 2 and 3 remains.
“This is alarming news to public…so we’re here to debunk that and to assure public that we have not lost Pag-asa Cays,” he said.
Malaya emphasized that Philippines exercises sovereignty over Sandy Cay. “Therefore, any affront to sovereignty of the Philippines in Pag-asa Cays is similar to affront to sovereignty of all other places in the mainland of Philippine archipelago,” he pointed out.
Malacañang also assured Filipinos that the administration would continue to lead in asserting Philippines’ rights in West Philippine Sea.
“There is no doubt about dedication of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to fight for our rights in our territory, our maritime rights especially in West Philippine Sea, protection of the rights of our country in accordance with international law will continue, but there is assurance that it is for peace and stability,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at press briefing.
Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard and the PNP Maritime Group conducted joint operation to check on CCG’s claim and discovered that no occupation of Pag-asa Cays on Sunday took place. Cays are within territorial waters of Pag-asa Island.
“Therefore, Philippines exercises not just sovereign rights, not just jurisdiction, we exercise sovereignty over three cays,” Malaya pointed out.
Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesman for West Philippine Sea, said China’s claim was aimed at diverting public attention. He said picture showing Chinese on Pag-asa Cay was undated.
“In the information domain, this incident is latest of their trying to shape narrative to draw picture away from what is happening in Balikatan, what is happening in maritime domain with drones, what is happening across political landscape,” Trinidad said.
He also reminded China of its commitment to 2002 Declaration of Conduct, halting seizure of unoccupied features.
According to Trinidad, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been strongly monitoring country’s maritime domain.
“Any action that will go beyond current status quo will be, as we already declared, red line, especially when it comes to reclamation and building activities, Sandy Cay is only approximately three kilometers from Pag-asa… within monitoring distance by our forces stationed on the island and as mentioned by NTF and Philippine Coast Guard, there were no presence whatsoever monitored when we sent inter-agency team to Sandy Cay,” Trinidad said.
Retired Rear Adm. Rommel Jude Ong confirmed that previous Duterte administration stopped plan of military to have physical presence on Sandy Cay 2, or hut-like structure for soldiers.
“We already planned that. It was already ready to set up…last minute, it was stopped,it was not privy to reasons,” he said when asked why it was stopped.
It was around 2017 when plan was conceptualized, Ong said, citing China’s increased interest in the area.
Had it pushed through, he said structure would have been manned 24/7, citing its proximity to Pag-asa Island.
But he also admitted that putting up such structure may violate 2002 Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, prohibits occupation of new features.
“It may be considered as escalatory, not just by China, but all other parties involved because we will put up something, we installed something on new feature,” he added.
According to Ong, recent reports of China’s occupation in the cay may have been triggered by recent activities of Philippines in the area.
“Their picture taking at Sandy Cay is obviously propaganda action just to show that they own Sandy Cay,” he added.
Senators denounced CCG for falsely claiming it had seized Pag-asa Cay. “China should stop creating drama. Photoshoot gimmick and supposed planting of Chinese flag on Sandy Cay is just another spectacle orchestrated by Beijing,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros said.
“No self-respecting state would take it to mean that China now has sovereign rights over it,” Hontiveros said.
She urged Department of Foreign Affairs to file diplomatic protest against Beijing for its coast guard’s action.
“Our government should take appropriate action to safeguard our claim…Sandy Cay belongs to Philippines and no amount of island hopping of Chinese Coast Guard will muddle the truth,” Hontiveros said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said China’s claims to Pag-asa Cay “pose significant threat to our national sovereignty and security,” calling it “yet another attempt to distort reality of the situation and spread fake news.”
Senate majority leader Francis Tolentino said “ illegal seizure of Sandy Cay by China Coast Guard is outrageous assault on Philippine sovereignty.”
“Sandy Cay lies within our territorial waters indisputably ours under international law… this brazen intrusion must be met by strongest diplomatic and defensive measures… we must not allow foreign forces to trample upon our rights and dignity,” Tolentino added.
Speaker Martin Romualdez said China appears to be “desperate” and called action of CCG “cheap stunt.”
“Deployment of Chinese personnel to Sandy Cay, their unfurling of Chinese flag and their so-called ‘inspection’ activities are nothing more than desperate and cheap stunts, orchestrated spectacle meant to mislead and bolster their illegitimate claims,” Romualdez said.
He reminded Chinese that “Sandy Cay lies just four nautical miles from Pag-asa Island and has always been under Philippine jurisdiction.”
“We have continuously and effectively exercised jurisdiction over it… 2016 Arbitral Award has already invalidated China’s sweeping and baseless claims across South China Sea, including Sandy Cay,” the Speaker stressed.
In a statement, he also said “no fabricated display can undermine Philippines’ legitimate sovereignty over its territory and exclusive economic zone.”
“I strongly denounce latest actions of China Coast Guard in and around Sandy Cay, area well within Philippines’ EEZ and unquestionably part of Philippine sovereignty…Filipino people will not be bullied in our own backyard… Team Pilipinas tayo!” Romualdez said.
For his part, Rep. Jay Khonghun said CCG’s action was “brazen affront” to Philippine sovereignty and international law.
“This latest move by China is clear and deliberate violation of our sovereign rights, Sandy Cay belongs to the Philippines..no amount of aggressive posturing or illegal occupation can erase that fact,we must call spade a spade… China’s actions are illegal, provocative and undermine regional peace and stability,” Khonghun, first district congressman of Zambales, expressed.
“We strongly denounce China’s unlawful ‘landing’ on Sandy Cay in West Philippine Sea… Sandy Cay is part of our territory because it lies only about two nautical miles from Pag-asa Island,” Akbayan party-list first nominee Chel Diokno said. Akbayan president Rafaela David called CCG’s action “desperate Instagram moment.”
“Sorry, China, we are not impressed…no number of photo ops will change the truth: they are trespassers, and we are rightful owners of Sandy Cay and West Philippine Sea,” David said.
“No illegal seizure happened,” National Security Council (NSC) assistant director general Jonathan Malaya said at press briefing, while admonishing Beijing and its coast guard “to act with restraint and not increase tensions in West Philippine Sea, “no truth whatsoever” to China Coast Guard (CCG)’s declaration that it has seized Pag-asa (Sandy) Cay.
He also slammed Chinese state media for what he described as irresponsible announcements and statements on alleged seizure.
“The facts on the ground do not support this statement coming from Chinese Coast Guard,” Malaya said.
He said authorities had to call press conference to clarify matters and state for the record that Philippine sovereignty over Pag-asa Cays 1, 2 and 3 remains.
“This is alarming news to public…so we’re here to debunk that and to assure public that we have not lost Pag-asa Cays,” he said.
Malaya emphasized that Philippines exercises sovereignty over Sandy Cay. “Therefore, any affront to sovereignty of the Philippines in Pag-asa Cays is similar to affront to sovereignty of all other places in the mainland of Philippine archipelago,” he pointed out.
Malacañang also assured Filipinos that the administration would continue to lead in asserting Philippines’ rights in West Philippine Sea.
“There is no doubt about dedication of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to fight for our rights in our territory, our maritime rights especially in West Philippine Sea, protection of the rights of our country in accordance with international law will continue, but there is assurance that it is for peace and stability,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at press briefing.
Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard and the PNP Maritime Group conducted joint operation to check on CCG’s claim and discovered that no occupation of Pag-asa Cays on Sunday took place. Cays are within territorial waters of Pag-asa Island.
“Therefore, Philippines exercises not just sovereign rights, not just jurisdiction, we exercise sovereignty over three cays,” Malaya pointed out.
Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesman for West Philippine Sea, said China’s claim was aimed at diverting public attention. He said picture showing Chinese on Pag-asa Cay was undated.
“In the information domain, this incident is latest of their trying to shape narrative to draw picture away from what is happening in Balikatan, what is happening in maritime domain with drones, what is happening across political landscape,” Trinidad said.
He also reminded China of its commitment to 2002 Declaration of Conduct, halting seizure of unoccupied features.
According to Trinidad, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been strongly monitoring country’s maritime domain.
“Any action that will go beyond current status quo will be, as we already declared, red line, especially when it comes to reclamation and building activities, Sandy Cay is only approximately three kilometers from Pag-asa… within monitoring distance by our forces stationed on the island and as mentioned by NTF and Philippine Coast Guard, there were no presence whatsoever monitored when we sent inter-agency team to Sandy Cay,” Trinidad said.
Retired Rear Adm. Rommel Jude Ong confirmed that previous Duterte administration stopped plan of military to have physical presence on Sandy Cay 2, or hut-like structure for soldiers.
“We already planned that. It was already ready to set up…last minute, it was stopped,it was not privy to reasons,” he said when asked why it was stopped.
It was around 2017 when plan was conceptualized, Ong said, citing China’s increased interest in the area.
Had it pushed through, he said structure would have been manned 24/7, citing its proximity to Pag-asa Island.
But he also admitted that putting up such structure may violate 2002 Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, prohibits occupation of new features.
“It may be considered as escalatory, not just by China, but all other parties involved because we will put up something, we installed something on new feature,” he added.
According to Ong, recent reports of China’s occupation in the cay may have been triggered by recent activities of Philippines in the area.
“Their picture taking at Sandy Cay is obviously propaganda action just to show that they own Sandy Cay,” he added.
Senators denounced CCG for falsely claiming it had seized Pag-asa Cay. “China should stop creating drama. Photoshoot gimmick and supposed planting of Chinese flag on Sandy Cay is just another spectacle orchestrated by Beijing,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros said.
“No self-respecting state would take it to mean that China now has sovereign rights over it,” Hontiveros said.
She urged Department of Foreign Affairs to file diplomatic protest against Beijing for its coast guard’s action.
“Our government should take appropriate action to safeguard our claim…Sandy Cay belongs to Philippines and no amount of island hopping of Chinese Coast Guard will muddle the truth,” Hontiveros said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said China’s claims to Pag-asa Cay “pose significant threat to our national sovereignty and security,” calling it “yet another attempt to distort reality of the situation and spread fake news.”
Senate majority leader Francis Tolentino said “ illegal seizure of Sandy Cay by China Coast Guard is outrageous assault on Philippine sovereignty.”
“Sandy Cay lies within our territorial waters indisputably ours under international law… this brazen intrusion must be met by strongest diplomatic and defensive measures… we must not allow foreign forces to trample upon our rights and dignity,” Tolentino added.
Speaker Martin Romualdez said China appears to be “desperate” and called action of CCG “cheap stunt.”
“Deployment of Chinese personnel to Sandy Cay, their unfurling of Chinese flag and their so-called ‘inspection’ activities are nothing more than desperate and cheap stunts, orchestrated spectacle meant to mislead and bolster their illegitimate claims,” Romualdez said.
He reminded Chinese that “Sandy Cay lies just four nautical miles from Pag-asa Island and has always been under Philippine jurisdiction.”
“We have continuously and effectively exercised jurisdiction over it… 2016 Arbitral Award has already invalidated China’s sweeping and baseless claims across South China Sea, including Sandy Cay,” the Speaker stressed.
In a statement, he also said “no fabricated display can undermine Philippines’ legitimate sovereignty over its territory and exclusive economic zone.”
“I strongly denounce latest actions of China Coast Guard in and around Sandy Cay, area well within Philippines’ EEZ and unquestionably part of Philippine sovereignty…Filipino people will not be bullied in our own backyard… Team Pilipinas tayo!” Romualdez said.
For his part, Rep. Jay Khonghun said CCG’s action was “brazen affront” to Philippine sovereignty and international law.
“This latest move by China is clear and deliberate violation of our sovereign rights, Sandy Cay belongs to the Philippines..no amount of aggressive posturing or illegal occupation can erase that fact,we must call spade a spade… China’s actions are illegal, provocative and undermine regional peace and stability,” Khonghun, first district congressman of Zambales, expressed.
“We strongly denounce China’s unlawful ‘landing’ on Sandy Cay in West Philippine Sea… Sandy Cay is part of our territory because it lies only about two nautical miles from Pag-asa Island,” Akbayan party-list first nominee Chel Diokno said. Akbayan president Rafaela David called CCG’s action “desperate Instagram moment.”
“Sorry, China, we are not impressed…no number of photo ops will change the truth: they are trespassers, and we are rightful owners of Sandy Cay and West Philippine Sea,” David said.
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