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CCG Alleges Environmental Damage at Pag-asa Cay 2 Following Atin Ito Mission, Philippines asserted no garbage discarded in the West Philippine Sea

Article by J. Salazar

Published on May 5, 2026 1:00PM


China Coast Guard (CCG) officers landed on Pag-asa Cay 2 (Tiexian Jiao) in the West Philippine Sea on Sunday to enforce their claim of maritime law, hoist their national flag, and allege an ecological damage attributed to Philippine personnel in relation to Atin Ito fourth civilian mission in the West Philippine Sea. ¹ ⁴

CCG teams also conducted patrols across nearby reefs in the West Philippine Sea, documenting Philippine activities and alleging that plastics, foam boards, and bags had been left in the area. The patrol included inspections using metal detectors to search for possible markers. ¹ ² ⁴

On the Philippine side, volunteers led by Dadah Kiram Ismula of Akbayan raised a Philippine flag on Pag-asa Cay 2 at approximately 5:40 a.m. The group departed from Pag-asa Island by rubber boat and later held a symbolic jet-ski flag ride referencing a 2016 campaign pledge by Rodrigo Duterte. ¹ ³ Philippine participants also maintained that no garbage was left in the area, disputing Chinese claims of environmental damage.


Ismula, from Zamboanga City, declared, “Because a Mindanaoan promised... another Mindanaoan and a woman today stood up to do this for our country,” framing it as defiance against Chinese bullying. ³ The mission, running April 30 to May 5, delivered supplies to Kalayaan officials and fisherfolk like Larry “King Fisher” Hugo, aiding communities amid fuel costs. ³

AFP spokesperson Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad praised Atin Ito as a “profound testament to the indomitable spirit of the Filipino people,” amplifying fisherfolk voices.¹ ³ Ismula stressed, “The West Philippine Sea is ours. No amount of intimidation can erase that fact,” amid reports of nearby Chinese vessels. ³


CCG insiders emphasized routine inspections to safeguard sovereignty, viewing Philippine actions as illegal intrusions. ² Pag-asa Cay 2 remains a tension hotspot with ongoing patrols from both sides. ¹  

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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/



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/


⁴ China Coast Guard officers raise national flag at Tiexian Jiao in South China Sea, clean up garbage left by illegal Philippine personnel...



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