The National Task Force West Philippine Sea (NTF WPS) has again asserted the country’s maritime rights over Sandy Cay, which is about five nautical miles from Pag-asa (Thitu) Island, which hosts a key Philippine military post.

“An Inter-Agency Maritime Operation (IAMO) at Pag-asa Cay 1, Cay 2, and Cay 3 and its surrounding waters was completed this morning, 27 April 2025,” NTF WPS said in a statement following the claim of the China Coast Guard that it has “implemented maritime control and exercised sovereign jurisdiction” over Sandy Cay, which it referred to as Tiexian Jiao.

It said the operation was a coordinated effort involving 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 WPS.

Four composite teams aboard rubber boats were deployed 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.

The NTF-WPS emphasized that this operation demonstrates the Philippine Government’s steadfast dedication and commitment to defending the nation’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the WPS.

“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 task force maintained.