Makati City: The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday made a blanket call on countries to refrain from conducting actions that complicate the situation in the South China Sea while negotiations on a Code of Conduct (COC) on the South China Sea are ongoing. The statement comes following local reports bearing photos of the China Coast Guard raising a Chinese flag on the Sandy Cay, saying Beijing has enforced ‘maritime management and exercised sovereign jurisdiction’ over the feature.

According to Philippines News Agency, in an interview on the sidelines of the Philippines-hosted High-Level Conference of Middle Income Countries in Makati City, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said the government is monitoring this development. Manalo emphasized the commitment to observing the Declaration of Conduct (DOC) and noted the ongoing negotiations for a COC. He expressed hope that countries can minimize or refrain from actions that could escalate tensions, while confirming that the situation is being closely monitored.

Manalo stated that the DFA will consult with relevant security agencies to consider appropriate actions, noting that while no actions have been taken yet, various options are being considered. Sandy Cay, also known as Pag-asa Cay 2, is a sandbar situated west of Pag-asa Island in the Kalayaan Island Group of the Philippines. China claims the feature, referring to it as Tiexian Jiao.

In 2019, a consensus was reportedly reached between Beijing and Manila to keep the sandbar unoccupied, as stated by the late Philippine ambassador to China, Jose Santiago Sta. Romana. The DOC, signed in 2002 between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), included an agreement to exercise self-restraint in activities that could complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability. This includes refraining from inhabiting presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features.

The DOC is the first political document jointly issued by the parties, pending a binding set of rules in the contested sea lane. Currently, China and ASEAN aim to conclude talks on a COC by 2026, though it is unclear if the code will be legally binding.