Pag-asa Cays: 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.

According to Philippines News Agency, this operation followed claims from China that it had taken possession of one of the cays over the weekend. The operation saw the deployment of four composite teams aboard rubber boats 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 stated. The agency emphasized that this operation underscores the Philippine government’s dedication to upholding the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.

“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 added.