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20240522-wave-2

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="3042095"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script><p>MANILA – A Filipino travel enthusiast has waved the Philippine flag at a sandbar of the contested Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea despite the presence of China Coast Guard vessels.</p><p>Cheenie Landayan, who is fond of visiting unexplored spots in the Philippines, went to Pag-asa from May 6 to 11 with a group of tourists.</p><p>Their travel tour vessel was also shadowed by China Coast Guard on their way to Pag-asa, she said.</p><p>“Yes, nagawa namin! Nagawa namin,” Landayan said in a virtual interview with ABS-CBN on Tuesday.</p><p>“Ang galing, ang galing ng moment. Atin ‘tong sandy Cay na ito. Atin ‘tong Spratlys, iyon ‘yong feeling.”</p><p>China is claiming Pag-asa, an island in the Kalayaan chain or Spratlys at least 285 nautical miles from Palawan. Manila has long established a military and civilian presence in the area.</p><p>Landayan said she was advised to practice caution in the sandy cay by Filipino fishermen who accompanied her.</p><p>“Nakakatakot, siyempre. Nakakanginig din ng tuhod ‘yong experience kasi doon pa lang makita mo may mga Chinese vessels nga na puwedeng pumunta agad, puwede kaming habulin,” she said.</p><p>Her travel group witnessed recent festivities in Pag-asa, which included a sports fest, beauty pageant, fun run, and parade, among others.</p><p>“Maganda na napupuntahan siya ng mga local travelers, ng mga Pinoy. Limited kasi ‘yong nakikita natin sa media. Konti lang din ‘yong nako-cover. Iba kasi ‘yong first-hand experience,” Landayan said.</p><p>The group also waved the Philippine flag in Pag-asa during the trip.</p><p>However, behind the smiles and welcoming atmosphere of the Pag-asa community, the devastation to the marine ecosystem is evident, Landayan said. </p><p>“Parang 95 percent ng corals ay wala na, patay ang mga corals,” Landayan said. “Sirang-sira talaga ‘yong mga corals.”</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/11/pcg-escoda-shoal-in-sorry-state-after-coral-dumping-for-reclamation-attempt-1517">PCG: Escoda Shoal in sorry state after coral dumping for reclamation attempt</a></div><p>The Philippine Coast Guard is blaming China for the sorry state of the environment, noting that the degradation of marine life in Pag-asa was a result of China’s reclamation activities.</p><p>Prof. Jonathan Anticamara of the University of the Philippines Institute of Biology earlier said Pag-asa is now in “degraded states” with “low coral and fish diversity and abundance.”</p><p>A “pile of sand and rubble” were also seen that supposedly indicates island-building activities.</p><p>Beijing has denied the reclamation accusation. </p><div dir="ltr"><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/world/2024/5/21/china-denies-philippines-claim-that-it-is-destroying-disputed-shoal-s-maritime-environment-853">China denies Philippines&#x27; claim that it is destroying disputed shoal&#x27;s maritime environment</a></div><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/16/china-issues-radio-challenge-to-aircraft-carrying-ph-senators-2124">China issues radio challenge to aircraft carrying PH senators</a><br/><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/26/filipino-scientists-in-pag-asa-island-harassed-injured-by-china-aircraft-bfar-1104">Filipino scientists in Pag-asa Island &#x27;harassed&#x27;, injured by China aircraft: BFAR</a></div>

<p>A Filipino travel enthusiast has waved the Philippine flag at a sandbar of the contested Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea despite the presence of China Coast Guard vessels.</p>

A Filipino travel enthusiast has waved the Philippine flag at a sandbar of the contested Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea despite the presence of China Coast Guard vessels.

Filipino traveler waves Philippine flag in Pag-asa Island

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Filipino traveler waves Philippine flag in Pag-asa Island

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 22, 2024 11:59 AM PHT

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Updated May 22, 2024 02:53 PM PHT

Read More:

travel

Pagasa Island

China

West Philippine Sea

South China Sea

China Philippines

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