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PH slams CCG aggression, asserts jurisdiction over Sandy Cay in WPS

Philippine News Agency

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
May 23, 2025, 1:09 pm

MANILA -- The Philippines on Friday asserted its sovereignty and jurisdiction over Pag-asa Island and its surrounding cays, strongly condemning the Chinese Coast Guard's (CCG) latest "aggressive actions" against two Filipino research vessels in the area.

In a statement, the National Maritime Council (NMC) expressed "grave concern" over what it called "unlawful interference" by the CCG.

"The Philippines expresses grave concern over the recent aggressive actions and unlawful interference of the CCG against Philippine civilian public against Philippine civilian public vessels in the West Philippine Sea," the NMC said.

The council described these actions as "deliberate acts of interference and intimidation" that seriously violate the sovereignty of the Philippines.

On May 21, two Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels — BRP Datu Sanday and BRP Datu Pagbuaya — were conducting a routine marine scientific research mission near Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) when they were shadowed, blocked, hit by water cannons, and sideswiped by CCG vessel 21559.

CCG ship 5103 and two Chinese maritime militia vessels reportedly provided support.

The council also asserted that the Filipino vessels posed no provocation, and their mission was in line with lawful civilian functions.

The NMC said this occurred within the territorial sea of the Philippines in the area of Pag-asa Island and Pag-asa Cay 2.

"The Philippines has longstanding sovereignty and jurisdiction over Pag-asa Island and all of its cays, which form part of the Philippines' Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea," it said, asserting that the mission was not in any way provocative.

"The NMC assures the nation that the Philippines remains committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes, but at the same time will continue to exercise its rights, protect its maritime interests, and uphold the mandates of our civilian agencies, like the DA-BFAR, in carrying out their responsibilities in our waters," it said.

It said appropriate diplomatic actions, multilateral cooperation, and maritime capacity-building will be undertaken to ensure the safety and effectiveness of Philippine maritime operations. (PNA)