The Joint Task Force Unit-"Pag-Asa" composed of Philippine Navy (PN), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine National Police-Maritime Group (PNP-MG) Personnel raised Philippine Flags recently on all of the four Reefs that constitute the Sandy Cay Reef Area, and posted Pictures of it.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) stated that the China Coast Guard's (CCG) claim of having control of Sandy Cay 2 does not reflect the current Situation in the Area.
You can read about this more from the Facebook Page Post of the AFP here: https://web.facebook.com/armedforcesofthephilippines/posts/pfbid02dYZD7Vtryp6RypXCZuT5z3xMF9FbHtdM3J4K9XTiARR5GKd7fb3GvVAKKUFsfvr3l
MY THOUGHTS: Well, I agree that with the Philippines still being able to raise their Flags on Sandy Cay indicates that China indeed does not have full control of the Area yet as of now. And since both Sides are still able to both raise their Flags there indicates that no one Side really controls the Area yet and that it is still very much contested.
I don’t understand why China would announce planting their Flag there, and then allow the Philippines to do the same afterwards. It’s possible that the United States (US) backed the Philippines up in this Case in some Way, as some unconfirmed Reports are saying.
If so, then that is probably why China backed off also. In that Case, good that the US is at least making themselves useful in the South China Sea (SCS) in exchange for allowing their Bases and Missiles here which we all know is really just mainly to help in the defense of Taiwan.
SOURCE: Armed Forces of the Philippines Facebook Page Post, 04/28/25 – 2032H {Archived Link}
