By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
The National Maritime Council (NMC) on Saturday slammed China’s disinformation activities by announcing that it has taken control of Sandy Cay (Pag-asa Cay 2), a sandbar near Pag-asa Island and within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
In a statement, the NMC lamented that the Chinese government is using its state-controlled media to sow disinformation “to mislead its own people and the international community about the continuing illegality of its activities in the West Philippine Sea.”
“The alleged seizure of Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay), an integral part of the Philippine national territory in the West Philippine Sea, was a clear example of the disinformation activities of the Chinese government, where it made it appear that China has effective control of the cay by displaying its flag and conducting waste collection,” it said.
“The Philippines is firm in protecting its vast maritime domain, and is unwavering in fighting false allegations that detract from the country’s lawful exercise of its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction,” the NMC added.
The NMC said the degradation of the environment around Pag-asa Island and its cays was largely caused by the constant illegal swarming of Chinese vessels in the area and the damaging impact of China’s massive artificial island-building in Zamora Reef (Subi Reef), a low-tide elevation that forms part of the territorial sea of Pag-asa Island and its cays.
It urged China to comply with its obligations under international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.
It also called for the proper implementation of the 2002 Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
“The Philippines will consistently pursue peaceful means for resolving disputes and constructive approaches to managing differences, while also continuing its lawful and routine activities in the West Philippine Sea, consistent with its maritime entitlements under international law,” the NMC said.
Based on the earlier reports of Beijing’s state media, the China Coast Guard “implemented maritime control” over Sandy Cay last month.
Sandy Cay, also known as the Pag-asa Cay 2, is one of the sandbars situated west of Pag-asa Island in the Kalayaan Island Group of the Philippines.
China lays claim on the maritime feature, calling it Tiexian Jiao.
The Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine National Police – Maritime Group conducted a routine visit to Sandy Cay and the surrounding waters of Cay 1 and Cay 3 on Monday to counter China’s narrative.
The Philippines also raised its flag on Sandy Cay to assert its sovereign rights over the area.
