MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government on Monday rejected claims made by Chinese state media that the China Coast Guard had taken control of Sandy Cay near Pag-Asa Island, asserting that the reports were inaccurate and misleading.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro referred to National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya’s statement that the Inter-Agency Maritime Operation (IAMO) had recently conducted a routine visit to Sandy Cay, particularly Pag-asa Cay 2, along with the surrounding areas of Cay 1 and Cay 3. 

Castro said that the mission was carried out without incident, directly contradicting any assertions that Sandy Cay had been seized.

“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,” Castro said.

Sandy Cay, a low bank of coral, rock, and sand, is located in the Spratly Islands near Pag-Asa Island, a part of the Philippines’ sovereign territory in the West Philippine Sea.

The Palace also reaffirmed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s firm commitment to defending the country’s territorial rights and upholding its sovereignty. Castro reiterated that the administration would continue to assert the Philippines’ rights in the region in accordance with international law.

“Asahan po natin ang walang alinlangang dedikasyon ng Pangulong Marcos na ipaglaban ang ating karapatan sa ating teritoryo, lalo na sa West Philippine Sea,” Castro said. “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 that the Philippines would persist in defending its maritime rights, emphasizing its commitment to peace and stability in the region.