NTF-WPS reports completing maritime operation at Pag-asa Cay
MANILA, Philippines —The Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine National Police-Maritime Group on Sunday completed an Inter-Agency Maritime Operation (IAMO) at Pag-asa Cay 1, Cay 2, and Cay 3 and their surrounding waters on Sunday morning.
In a statement from the National Task Force West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), it said the IAMO reinforces the Philippine authorities’ routine and lawful exercise of maritime domain awareness and jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea.
“Four (4) composite teams aboard rubber boats were deployed to the cays. Teams One and Two reached Cay-1, Team Three arrived at Cay-2, and Team Four landed at Cay-3,” the statement read.
READ: Tolentino slams China Coast Guard for seizing Sandy Cay in West PH Sea
“During the operation, the teams observed the illegal presence of China Coast Guard 5102, approximately 1,000 yards east of Cay-2, as well as seven (7) Chinese Maritime Militia vessels near Cay-2 and Cay-3,” it added.
READ: China seizes disputed West PH Sea reef near key military outpost – report
The NTF-WPS highlighted that the operation reflects the “unwavering dedication and commitment” of the government to uphold the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.
“Moreover, this routine inter-agency operation reinforces the Philippines’ commitment to safeguarding its maritime domain, adhering to international law, and ensuring peace and stability in the region,” it also said.
Meanwhile, citing state broadcaster CCTV, Agence France-Presse reported on April 27 that the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) “implemented maritime control” over Sandy Cay in the middle of April.
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.”
This move was refuted by Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, who called the activity “an outrageous assault on Philippine sovereignty.”
