Atin Ito plants PH flag on Pag-asa Cay 2 amid Chinese presence
PAG-ASA ISLAND, Philippines — Atin Ito carried out a pre-dawn mission to Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) on Sunday, successfully planting the Philippine flag in what it described as a peaceful yet resolute stand against China’s continued actions in the West Philippine Sea.
Departing from Pag-asa Island at 5:40 a.m., a small team aboard a rubber boat, led by Akbayan Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula and joined by Atin Ito volunteers, made its way to the cay.
Despite a strong Chinese presence in the area, the group reached Pag-asa Cay 2 and hoisted the Philippine flag.
READ: AFP to ensure safe passage for Atin Ito civilian mission to Pag-asa
The group said it was able to move past several Chinese vessels patrolling nearby waters.
“We successfully raised our flag at Pag-asa Cay 2 despite the heavy Chinese presence,” Ismula said.
Ismula called the action a peaceful but defiant stand against illegal incursions.
“Our message is clear: the West Philippine Sea is ours. No amount of intimidation can erase that fact,” she added.
READ: China failed to scare us away from West PH Sea – Atin Ito Coalition
Pag-asa Cay 2 lies within the Philippines’ territorial waters and forms part of the Pag-asa Island area.
It has recently emerged as a point of tension amid reports of Chinese Coast Guard activity and ongoing Philippine patrols.
Long affected by China’s sweeping claims and nearby artificial island construction, the area remains a focal point for growing civic efforts to assert Philippine sovereignty despite heightened tensions. /dl
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