Atin Ito Plants Philippine Flag on Pag-asa Cay 2 Amid Chinese Vessel Presence

Article by J. Salazar

Published on May 4, 2026 3:00PM

Civil society coalition Atin Ito successfully planted the Philippine flag on Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) in the West Philippine Sea during its fourth civilian mission on Sunday. ¹ ² ³ ⁹ Led by Akbayan Representative Dadah Kiram Ismula, the team departed Pag-asa Island at 5:40 a.m. aboard a rubber boat, navigating past patrolling Chinese vessels in a defiant act against Beijing's aggression. ¹ ³ ⁷ ⁸ ¹⁰

The pre-dawn operation reached the cay despite heavy Chinese presence, with the group hoisting the flag as a peaceful assertion of sovereignty. ¹ ² Ismula emphasized slipping past nearby Chinese ships, calling it a resolute stand within Philippine territorial waters. ³ ⁵ ¹¹

Pag-asa Cay 2, part of the Pag-asa Island area, has become a tension point due to Chinese Coast Guard activities and Philippine patrols. ¹ ³

“We successfully raised our flag at Pag-asa Cay 2 despite the heavy Chinese presence,” Ismula stated, adding, “This is a defiant but peaceful act of resistance against China’s aggression... Our message is clear: the West Philippine Sea is ours. No amount of intimidation can erase that fact.” ¹ ² ³

The Armed Forces of the Philippines supported the mission, with spokesperson Roy Vincent Trinidad calling it a “profound testament to the indomitable spirit of the Filipino people” and an amplification of fisherfolk voices. ²

This marks Atin Ito's latest effort in the "Balik Pag-asa" missions to assert rights amid ongoing disputes. ¹ ⁴ The area faces China's sweeping claims and artificial island activities, prompting increased civic actions. ³

_________________________________________________ Notes:

¹ WPS: Atin Ito plants PH flag on Pag-asa Cay 2 amid Chinese presence https://www.inquirer.net/474122/wps-atin-ito-plants-ph-flag-on-pag-asa-cay-2-amid-chinese-presence/

² H civilian mission plants PH flag on Pagasa Cay 2 amid Chinese ... https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/986206/ph-civilian-mission-plants-ph-flag-on-pagasa-cay-2-amid-chinese-vessels-presence/story/

³ PCG: Aircraft, vessels sent after 4 Chinese ships operating illegally ... https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/986222/pcg-chinese-ships-philippine-waters/story/?amp

⁴ PCG drives away 4 Chinese ships in West Philippine Sea https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/05/04/2525546/pcg-drives-away-4-chinese-ships-west-philippine-sea

⁵ MAY NAG JET SKI NA SA WEST PH SEA! Pinangunahan ni ... https://www.instagram.com/reel/DX36nseET8N/

⁶ Akbayan Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula, nag-jetski sa Pag-asa Island https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_XN1j3zuFs

⁷ Breaking! ATIN ITO DAWN MISSION SLIPS PAST CHINA'S ... https://www.facebook.com/AkbayanParty/posts/breaking-atin-ito-dawn-mission-slips-past-chinas-presence-plants-ph-flag-in-pag-/1516900946491000/

⁸ Atin Ito Coalition plants PH flag in Pag-asa Cay 2 | GMA News https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQNdoGmUU08

⁹ JETSKI RIDE MARKS CIVILIAN MISSION IN WPS WATCH: The ... https://www.facebook.com/tribunephl/videos/jetski-ride-marks-civilian-mission-in-wpswatch-the-atin-ito-conducted-what-it-de/1323631079642277/

¹⁰ PH civilian mission plants PH flag on Pagasa Cay 2 amid Chinese ... https://x.com/gmanews/status/2050741791280996458

¹¹ 'THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA IS OURS' Atin Ito carried out a pre ... https://www.facebook.com/inquirerdotnet/posts/the-west-philippine-sea-is-oursatin-ito-carried-out-a-pre-dawn-mission-to-pag-as/1411626654481619/