WPS: Atin Ito plants PH flag on Pag-asa Cay 2 amid Chinese presence

Atin Ito plants PH flag on Pag-asa Cay 2 amid Chinese presence 

PAG-ASA ISLAND, Philippines — Atin Ito carried out a pre-dawn mission to Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) on Sunday, successfully planting the Philippine flag in what it described as a peaceful yet resolute stand against China’s continued actions in the West Philippine Sea.

Departing from Pag-asa Island at 5:40 a.m., a small team aboard a rubber boat, led by Akbayan Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula and joined by Atin Ito volunteers, made its way to the cay.

Despite a strong Chinese presence in the area, the group reached Pag-asa Cay 2 and hoisted the Philippine flag.

READ: AFP to ensure safe passage for Atin Ito civilian mission to Pag-asa

The group said it was able to move past several Chinese vessels patrolling nearby waters.

“We successfully raised our flag at Pag-asa Cay 2 despite the heavy Chinese presence,” Ismula said.

Ismula called the action a peaceful but defiant stand against illegal incursions.

“Our message is clear: the West Philippine Sea is ours. No amount of intimidation can erase that fact,” she added.

READ: China failed to scare us away from West PH Sea – Atin Ito Coalition

Pag-asa Cay 2 lies within the Philippines’ territorial waters and forms part of the Pag-asa Island area.

It has recently emerged as a point of tension amid reports of Chinese Coast Guard activity and ongoing Philippine patrols.

Long affected by China’s sweeping claims and nearby artificial island construction, the area remains a focal point for growing civic efforts to assert Philippine sovereignty despite heightened tensions. /dl