Marilyn Cahatol

Senator Risa Hontiveros set foot on Pag-asa Island after joining a maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) over the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday, February 21. Senator Risa Hontiveros/Facebook

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Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771741711007639024721_1480314186794008_5912170915468521866_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Senator Risa Hontiveros set foot on Pag-asa Island Saturday, February 21. Senator Risa Hontiveros/Facebook "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Senator Risa Hontiveros set foot on Pag-asa Island Saturday, February 21. <em>Senator Risa Hontiveros/Facebook </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — For the first time, Sen. Risa Hontiveros set foot on Pag-asa Island after joining a maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) over the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday, February 21.</p><p>Past 7 a.m., a Cessna Caravan aircraft of the PCG departed Puerto Princesa City, Palawan carrying Hontiveros, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela, and members of the media, including ABS-CBN News.</p><p>Pag-asa Island is the Philippines’ largest occupied feature in the KIG.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RADIO CHALLENGES FROM CHINA</strong></div><p>As the aircraft approached the island, Chinese forces repeatedly issued radio challenges in Mandarin and English.</p><p>Inside the plane, Hontiveros described the radio calls as “offensive” but commended the PCG’s response.</p><p>“Nakaka-offend ang Chinese radio challenges, pero sapat na sinasagot ng PCG sa iba’t ibang features sa West Philippine Sea at mula rin dito sa eroplano natin. Laging ginigiit ang UNCLOS [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea] at 2016 arbitral award, kaya’t atin ito,” she told reporters.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/21/hontiveros-calls-out-china-in-visit-to-pag-asa-island-1715">Hontiveros calls out China in visit to Pag-asa island</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>CHINESE VESSELS NEAR PAG-ASA ISLAND</strong></div><p>After nearly two hours, the aircraft reached Pag-asa Island.</p><p>A People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy warship, two China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, and 17 Chinese maritime militia ships were spotted near the island from the air.</p><p>Also visible was the BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701), the largest vessel of the PCG.</p><p>Tarriela said the ship sailed from Manila to deliver supplies and support a humanitarian mission.</p><p>“Nakita rin natin si BRP Teresa Magbanua 9701 is here all the way from Manila para magdala ng supplies na pinamigay ni Senator Risa, together with some doctors and dentists for the medical and dental mission,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/18/marcos-orders-dizon-to-visit-kalayaan-island-group-identify-needed-infrastructure-1559">Marcos orders Dizon to visit Kalayaan Island Group, identify needed infrastructure</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>WARM WELCOME FROM TROOPS AND RESIDENTS</strong></div><p>Upon landing, Hontiveros was welcomed by personnel from the PCG, Philippine Navy and Philippine National Police (PNP), civilian residents, and Kalayaan Mayor Beltzasar Alindogan.</p><p>Alindogan expressed gratitude for the visit.</p><p>“Masaya kami. Matagal na po naming pinapangarap na mayroon tayong mga katulad ni Senator Hontiveros na makapunta. Iniexpect pa namin ang iba,” he said.</p><p>The mayor also encouraged other officials to see the situation there firsthand.</p><p>“Mas magandang pumunta sila at mas masaksihan nila ang mga naririnig nila sa mga balita… at maunawaan nila na ang Pag-asa ay atin,” he added.</p><p>When asked about remarks from Sen. Rodante Marcoleta that the country should just give up the KIG, Alindogan said he understood having differing views but stressed that those who have not visited may not fully grasp the reality on the ground.</p><p>“Napatawa lang po ako. Naunawaan ko po kasi nga hindi niya [Marcoleta] nakita ang sitwasyon namin at may kanya-kanya kaming pag-unawa pagdating doon sa teritoryo, EEZ [exclusive economic zone] at labas,” the mayor explained.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>MEDICAL MISSION, AID AND DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT</strong></div><p>A medical and dental mission organized by Hontiveros’ team was conducted at the island’s covered court for more than 400 residents.</p><p>The senator also distributed food supplies and donated 47 desalination machines for troops stationed in Philippine-occupied features in the KIG.</p><p>“Bunga ng aking pagbisita rito, tutulong din talaga ako i-follow up ang iba’t ibang departments ng gobyerno para suportahan ang development plans ng LGU,” she said.</p><p>She firmly rejected any suggestion of yielding territory.</p><p>“No way. Never give up any part of the Philippines—ni ang Pag-asa Island, ni ang Kalayaan Island Group,” Hontiveros stressed.</p><p>“We will never give up Pag-asa Island. Hindi lang senador, kundi bawat Pilipino ay magsasabi niyan,” the senator further said.</p><p>She underscored that lawmakers must prioritize national interest and ensure that laws consistent with UNCLOS and the arbitral ruling are fully implemented by the executive branch.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/21/senate-to-set-ground-rules-for-possible-dialogue-with-chinese-embassy-on-wps-1851">Senate to set ground rules for possible dialogue with Chinese Embassy on WPS</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>SEEING THE TENSIONS UP CLOSE</strong></div><p>The MDA flight also passed over Patag Island, Lawak Island, Likas Island, and Ayungin Shoal, where the BRP Sierra Madre remains grounded as a Philippine naval outpost.</p><p>Hontiveros was able to communicate via radio with troops stationed aboard the ship, thanking them for their service.</p><p>“Kitang-kita natin siya galing sa taas, di ba? Grabe. Ang liit-liit niya kumpara sa buong Ayungin Shoal, pero siguro para siyang tinik ng lalamunan sa Tsina diyan,” Hontiveros told reporters.</p><p>“Kaya pala talagang sinasabi na ang BRP Sierra Madre ang pinakaimportanteng sovereignty marker sa buong West Philippine Sea, kaya dapat tumindig tayo kasama ng mga kababayan nating naka-station doon. Huwag natin silang kalilimutan,” she continued.</p><p>The PCG aircraft also flew near China-occupied Mischief Reef or Panganiban Reef—one of Beijing’s largest air and naval bases in the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>“Sino ba namang hindi maiinspire na makita ang David and Goliath na laban dito pero hindi sinusuko dahil nasa tama tayo,” the senator said, adding she will push for improvements to the situation of troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre.</p><p>For Tarriela, joining missions like this are crucial in helping policymakers and the public understand the human dimension of the tensions.</p><p>“Makikita mo ang mga kabataang Pilipino, mga civilian na nandito,” he said.</p><p>He went on, “You also see how the Chinese maritime forces are so near sa shorelines ng ating mga kababayang Pilipino, and they have to deal with that everyday.”</p><p>Tarriela maintained that his invitation remains open to other lawmakers to join future missions.“It’s an open invitation for everyone,” he stressed.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>CALL FOR UNITY AHEAD OF ARBITRAL RULING 10th ANNIVERSARY</strong></div><p>With the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award approaching on July 12, Hontiveros called for national unity.</p><p>“Importanteng pag-isahin tayong mga Pilipino… 10 years since, hindi pa rin talaga binibitawan ng Pilipinas ang ating tagumpay,” she said.</p><p>The senator noted increasing international support for the ruling, as well as growing joint exercises among fisheries agencies, coast guards, and navies in the region and the world.</p><p>“Sana mas dumami pa ang private organizations and civic groups tulad ng Atin Ito ang magsama-sama sa isang high profile na paraan para gunitain sa pambihirang paraan ang tagumpay na ito,” she added.</p><p>On the island itself, the functioning local government, organized sectors, and visible sense of unity among residents send a strong message, according to Hontiveros.</p><p>“Buhay na buhay ang komunidad dito… Damang-dama ang pagkakaisa ng mga tao dito na ‘West Philippine Sea, atin ito,’” she noted.</p><p>For the officials, the presence of civilians, the leadership of the local government, and the sacrifices of uniformed personnel in the KIG are clear reminders of what is at stake.</p><p>“Paramount talaga ang itaguyod ang pambansang interest ng Pilipinas, kasama na ang pagprotekta, pagyakap, at ni minsan pagsuko ng anumang bahagi ng ating bayan,” Hontiveros said.</p><p>“Pag pumunta ka rito, mas mararamdaman mo ang halaga ng ating ipinaglalaban sa West Philippine Sea,” Tarriela added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/8/tarriela-invites-marcoleta-on-flight-over-kalayaan-island-group-0925">Tarriela invites Marcoleta on flight over Kalayaan Island Group</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zTB3Lv-2Y38?si=Rpc_PxmIMZQmbZmt" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>For the first time, Sen. Risa Hontiveros set foot on Pag-asa Island after joining a maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) over the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday, February 21.</p>

For the first time, Sen. Risa Hontiveros set foot on Pag-asa Island after joining a maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) over the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday, February 21.

‘No way we’re giving up’: Hontiveros stands firm on Pag-asa Island

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‘No way we’re giving up’: Hontiveros stands firm on Pag-asa Island

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 22, 2026 02:57 PM PHT

Read More:

Kalayaan Island Group

West Philippine Sea

Pag-asa Island

Ayungin Shoal

BRP Sierra Madre

Mischief Reef

Chinese vessels

MDA flight

Senator Risa Hontiveros

Commodore Jay Tarriela

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