24 August 2017

News Story: Alejano - Chinese flag planted near Philippines-controlled island

By Patricia Lourdes Viray

MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese flag has been planted on a sandbar near Philippines-controlled Kota Island in the West Philippine Sea, according to Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano.

The Chinese flag mounted on a steel pipe was discovered around the third week of July, according to information that Alejano received.

"A Chinese vessel allegedly erected the said three-meter high Chinese flag on a sand cay which is known to be within a Philippine-controlled area," Alejano said in a media release.

Following such reports, Alejano called on government officials, particularly the Department of Foreign Affairs, to be transparent on issues regarding the disputed waters.

The Magdalo representative said that the government's silence and inaction are not helping while the Chinese are supposedly acting on the ground.

Read the full story at PhilStar