The National Maritime Council (NMC) on Saturday denounced what it described as a disinformation campaign by China regarding Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay), a disputed feature in the West Philippine Sea.
The council asserted the Philippines’ sovereign rights and control over the area.
In a statement, the NMC said Chinese state-controlled media had been spreading false claims that China had gained effective control over Pag-asa Cay 2 by raising its flag and conducting waste collection activities on the cay.
“This is a clear example of disinformation by the Chinese government, aimed at misleading both its domestic audience and the international community,” the council said.
It emphasized that Pag-asa Cay 2 is an “integral part of Philippine national territory.”
The council further accused Chinese vessels of causing environmental degradation around Pag-asa Island and its surrounding cays due to frequent swarming activities and the long-term impact of artificial island construction—particularly at Zamora Reef (Subi Reef), which the Philippines claims is part of its territorial sea.
The Philippines called on China to respect international maritime law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, and the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
While reaffirming its commitment to peaceful and constructive dialogue, the Philippines also vowed to continue its “lawful and routine activities” in the region in accordance with its maritime entitlements under international law.
The National Security Council has previously refuted China’s claims of an illegal seizure of Sandy Cay.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “NMC slams China’s ‘disinformation’ on Sandy Cay.”
