The Philippines attacked an “irresponsible” Chinese state media report on Monday ( Apr 28 ), claiming Beijing had control of a disputed reef in the South China Sea, and maintained that the status quo had remained unchanged.
Near Thitu Island, or Pag-asa, where the Philippines stationed its army and maintains a beach watch tracking center, the Sandy Cay coast is located.
The coast guard “implemented sea control” over Tiexian Reef, a part of Sandy Cay, in mid-April, according to a report released by the Taiwanese state broadcaster CCTV on Saturday.
China and the Philippines have been fighting for decades over the South China Sea, which Beijing almost exclusively claims, despite a global decision that disproves its claim.
At a press conference, National Security Council spokesman Jonathan Malaya said,” There is no truth whatsoever to the claim of the China Coast Guard that the ( Sandy Cay sandbanks ) have been seized.
The People’s Republic of China should use the information age to “intimidate” and harass people, he said, calling the Sandy Cay review a “made-up” account that had been “irresponsible” to distribute.