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PH asserts sovereignty over Pag-asa cays

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno
April 28, 2025, 9:42 am

MANILA -- The Philippines asserted its sovereignty over Pag-asa Cays 1, 2, 3 and its surrounding waters through an "inter-agency maritime operation" (IAMO) on Sunday morning.

"This coordinated effort involved the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine National Police-Maritime Group, reinforcing Philippine authorities' routine and lawful exercise of maritime domain awareness and jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea," the National Task Force West Philippine Sea (NTF WPS) said in a statement late Sunday.

This came after China claimed that it took possession of one of the cays over the weekend.

It added that the four 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.

"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 Chinese Maritime Militia vessels near Cay-2 and Cay-3," NTF-WPS said.

The agency said this operation underscores the Philippine government's unwavering dedication and commitment to upholding the country's sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the WPS.

"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," the NTF-WPS said. (PNA)