The Philippine government on Monday refuted reports by Chinese state media claiming that the China Coast Guard had taken control of Sandy Cay near Pag-Asa Island, calling them inaccurate and misleading.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro cited information from National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General (ADG) Jonathan Malaya that the Inter-Agency Maritime Operation (IAMO) recently conducted a routine visit to Sandy Cay, Pag-asa Cay 2 in particular, and the surrounding waters of Cay 1 and Cay 3.

She said the IAMO team completed the mission without incident, clearly contradicting any narrative that Sandy Cay was seized. Sandy Cay is a maritime feature of a low bank or reef of coral, rock, and sand located in the Spratly Islands near Pag-Asa Island in the Spratlys.

“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.

During the briefing, Castro reaffirmed the Marcos administration’s unwavering commitment to defending the country’s maritime rights and territorial integrity.

“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,” she said.

The Palace assured the public that the Philippines will continue to assert and defend its sovereign rights in accordance with international law. | PND