Tolentino slams China Coast Guard for seizing Sandy Cay in West PH Sea

FILE PHOTO: Sen. Francis Tolentino. Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — Senate Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino on Sunday slammed the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) reported seizure of Sandy Cay in the West Philippine Sea, calling it “an outrageous assault on Philippine sovereignty.”

In a statement, the senator said, “This brazen intrusion must be met by the strongest diplomatic and defensive measures.”

READ: China seizes disputed West PH Sea reef near key military outpost – report

“We must not allow foreign forces to trample upon our rights and dignity. The West Philippine Sea belongs to the Filipino people and no intimidation and act of aggression can ever change that,” Tolentino also said.

He then called on Filipinos to “stand firm and defend what is ours, resolutely, lawfully and without fear.”

Citing state broadcaster CCTV, Agence France-Presse reported on April 27 that the CCG “implemented maritime control” over Sandy Cay in the middle of April.

Sandy Cay lies near Thitu Island, also called Pag-asa and the site of a Philippine military facility.

The report also said that the CCG landed on Sandy Cay to “exercise sovereignty and jurisdiction” over the reef, carry out an “inspection” and “collect video evidence regarding the illegal activities of the Philippine side.”