A CHINESE flag was reportedly planted on a sand cay seven nautical miles off Kota Island, a Philippine-controlled area, Magdalo Partylist Representative Gary Alejano revealed on Tuesday.
According to Alejano, he received information about the discovery of a Chinese flag mounted on a steel pipe on a sand cay located seven nautical miles northeast off Kota Island.
It was allegedly discovered around the third week of July.
This action, added Alejano, contradicts China’s supposed “commitment to peace and stability” in the region through maintaining the status quo.
“The continuous activities of China in the disputed waters in the West Philippine Sea are very concerning. These recently reported incidents only reveal that Chinese activities in the West Philippine Sea have not stopped amid warmer relations between the Philippines and China,” Alejano said.
Just last week, Alejano also exposed the alleged “massing up” of Chinese vessels near Pagasa Island, another Philippine-controlled territory.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano refused to confirm Alejano’s claim, but said the situation in the West Philippine Sea “remains stable.”
The lawmaker then asked the government to be transparent in terms of its dealings with Beijing.
“I also reiterate my call for Philippine government officials, in particular the Department of Foreign Affairs, to be transparent on issues regarding the West Philippine Sea. Their denial or silence and inaction are not helping while things like these happen on the ground,” Alejano said. (SunStar Philippines)