NSC Refutes China Claim of Sandy Cay 'Seizure'

There is "no truth whatsoever" to the China Coast Guard (CCG)'s declaration that it has seized the Pag-asa (Sandy) Cay, National Security Council (NSC) assistant director general Jonathan Malaya said yesterday.

- By PIA LEE-BRAGO

"No illegal seizure happened," Malaya said at a press briefing, while admonishing Beijing and its coast guard "to act with restraint and not increase tensions in the West Philippine Sea."

He also slammed Chinese state media for what he described as irresponsible announcements and statements on the alleged seizure.

"The facts on the ground do not support this statement coming from the Chinese Coast Guard," Malaya said.

He said authorities had to call a press conference to clarify matters and state for the record that Philippine sovereignty over Pag-asa Cays 1, 2 and 3 remains.

"This is an alarming news to the public. So we're here to debunk that and to assure the public that we have not lost the Pag-asa Cays," he said.

Malaya emphasized that the Philippines exercises sovereignty over Sandy Cay.

"Therefore, any affront to the sovereignty of the Philippines in Pag-asa Cays is similar to an affront to the sovereignty of all other places in the mainland of the Philippine archipelago," he pointed out.

Malacañang also assured Filipinos that the administration would continue to lead in asserting the Philippines' rights in the West Philippine Sea.

"There is no doubt about the dedication of President Marcos to fight for our rights in our territory, our maritime rights especially in the West Philippine Sea," Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing.

"The protection of the rights of our country in accordance with international law will continue, but there is an assurance that it is for peace and stability," she added.

The Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard and PNP Maritime Group conducted joint operation to check on the CCG's claim and discovered that no occupation of the Pag-asa Cays on Sunday took place. The cays are within the territorial waters of Pag-asa Island.