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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider China's deployment of personnel to Sandy Cay 'a cheap stunt'—Romualdez

China's deployment of personnel to Sandy Cay 'a cheap stunt'—Romualdez

Published Apr 28, 2025 03:25 am

At A Glance

  • ?House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday, April 28, said China must stop its "cheap stunt" after claiming that it has already seized control of Sandy Cay.

​House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday, April 28, said China must stop its "cheap stunt" after claiming that it has already seized control of Sandy Cay.

He warned that the Philippines' legislative body will support the executive and all enforcement agencies in the pursuit to protect the country's sovereignty.

Romualdez made the strongly-worded statement after China's state-run news agency Global Times reported that the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) claimed the tiny sandbank, which they locally call Tiexian Jiao, that was located within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

"I call on China: Cease these reckless provocations. Respect international law. Stop these cheap stunts," he said.

​"The Philippines stands firm, ready, and united in defending what is ours—through peaceful, principled, and lawful means​," he added.

​Romualdez also denounced the unfurling of a Chinese flag, and their so-called "inspection" activities at Sandy Cay.

He called these actions "desperate", and denounced them as "an orchestrated spectacle meant to mislead and bolster their illegitimate claims".

"Let me be clear: Sandy Cay, located just 4 nautical miles from our own Pag-asa Island, is Philippine territory," he said.

"We have continuously and effectively exercised jurisdiction over it. The 2016 Arbitral Award has already invalidated China’s sweeping and baseless claims across the South China Sea, including Sandy Cay," he added.

Romualdez then cited the Philippine government's immediate response.

He said the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) conducted a coordinated Inter-Agency Maritime Operation (IAMO), covering Pag-asa Cay 1, Cay 2, and Cay 3, along with their surrounding waters.

He said the government will continue to safeguard our maritime domain, adhere to international law, and work toward maintaining peace and stability in the region.

"The Filipino people will not be bullied in our own backyard. Team Pilipinas tayo! (We are Team Philippines)," he added.

Related Tags

Martin Romualdez Chinese Embassy in Manila Sandy Cay
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