Sandy Cay Reef, South China Sea – April 28, 2025
Philippine Military Plants Flag at Disputed Sandy Cay Reef After China’s Move.
The Philippine military planted a flag at the disputed Sandy Cay reef on Sunday, just days after China did a similar action, according to the Philippine News Agency.
China’s coast guard recently said it had “dealt with” six Filipinos who they claimed landed illegally on the reef. China also said the sandbank had recently come under its control.
On Sunday, the Philippine military group called the National Operational-Tactical Group West Philippine Sea led a sea operation with help from different government agencies. The purpose was to show and protect the Philippines’ legal rights in the Western Philippine Sea.
The operation included members from the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard, and the National Police’s Maritime Group. Four teams in rubber boats went to Cay 1, Cay 2, and Cay 3 islands. They saw signs that Chinese forces were present in the area.
Photos showing Philippine flags on the islands were later shared on social media.
China says it owns almost the entire South China Sea, and there have been many confrontations between China and the Philippines recently. This new action happened just before the Philippines and the United States began their yearly joint military drills near the Spratly Islands.
Chinese coast guard spokesperson Liu Dejun said that six Filipinos had “illegally entered” the area known as Tiexian Reef. He said they were handled “according to the law,” but he did not give any more details.
“We ask the Philippines to stop its illegal activities,” Liu added.
Meanwhile, The Financial Times quoted a Philippine maritime official who said that the Chinese coast guard had left the area after raising their flag.
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