Malacañang has denied inaccurate reports from Chinese state media claiming that the China Coast Guard had taken control of Sandy Cay near Pag-asa Island.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Inter-Agency Maritime Operation (IAMO) recently conducted a routine and incident-free patrol around Sandy Cay, specifically Pag-asa Cay 2 and nearby areas Cay 1 and Cay 3.
Citing National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya, Castro stressed that the operation was lawful and uneventful, refuting claims of Chinese control over the area.
“Nakausap po natin si ADG Jonathan Malaya. Ayon po sa kanya, kahapon lamang po, ang inter-agency maritime operation ay nagsagawa ng pagbisita—isang routine and lawful exercise—dito po sa maritime domain natin,” she said.
The Palace official reaffirmed the Marcos administration’s unwavering commitment to defending the Philippines’ maritime rights and territorial integrity.
“Asahan po natin ang walang alinlangang dedikasyon ng Pangulong Marcos na ipaglaban ang ating karapatan sa ating teritoryo, lalo na sa West Philippine Sea,” said Castro. “Tuloy-tuloy pa rin po ang pagprotekta sa lahat ng karapatan ng bansa na naaayon sa international law, ngunit may paniniguro na ito ay para sa kapayapaan at katatagan.”
The Palace assured the public that the government remains vigilant in protecting national interests in the region.IMT
