(UPDATE) THITU ISLAND — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) unveiled on Thursday its first dedicated command center in the Spratly island chain, a flashpoint in the disputed South China Sea that has been the site of repeated confrontations with Chinese vessels.
The headquarters of a newly established coast guard district, formerly overseen from neighboring Palawan, will cover an area of about 68,000 square kilometers.
The activation ceremony on Pag-asa Island was led by PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, joined by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez and Sen. Erwin Tulfo.
The event coincided with a tense encounter at sea, as Chinese forces issued three radio challenges to a PCG aircraft carrying the officials.
Despite the warnings, the aircraft proceeded with its flight plan and landed safely on the island.
Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, described the radio exchanges as routine, emphasizing that the incident did not affect the district’s activation.
“The activation of this district strengthens not only maritime governance but also the PCG’s commitment to holistic service and nation-building in the Kalayaan Island Group,” Tarriela said.
He noted that the milestone “has the full support and approval of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” reaffirming that “not an inch of our territory shall be surrendered.”
Multiple Chinese Coast Guard vessels patrolled nearby waters as the activation ceremony got underway.
Beijing claims the South China Sea in nearly its entirety, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.
Pagasa will now have a commodore-level commander on site, Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Ronnie Gil Gavan told reporters after a Thursday “activation” ceremony, along with a permanently stationed ship, more response vessels and an unspecified number of specialists.
“The establishment of the coast guard district here will also enhance the psyche, the mindset of each and every coast guard member, that... the defense of Kalayaan island group is a top priority,” Gavan said, using the Filipino name for the Spratlys.
The move will also include the dredging of a deeper port that will allow for the docking of coast guard vessels, which must currently ferry personnel to and from Pagasa on small boats.
The far-flung Kota and Parola islands will also see their substations raised to full station status, coast guard spokesman Jay Tarriela said.
The Pagasa upgrade, meanwhile, will mean a bigger budget for greater community assistance to the island’s inhabitants, including more teachers and doctors, he said.
Pagasa Island is home to about 400 Filipinos, mostly fishermen and their families, who China accuses of living there illegally.
In addition to its maritime mandate, the district will assist the local government of Kalayaan in delivering essential services.
PCG personnel are expected to support the Department of Education (DepEd) in addressing teacher shortages, provide medical personnel to the Department of Health, and offer chaplains to attend to spiritual needs.
Lopez described the activation as a “permanent step” to demonstrate the PCG’s readiness to defend the country’s maritime interests, Filipino fishermen and sovereignty.
“Your steadfast dedication is the foundation of our maritime security, and your presence proves that we stand firm in our commitment that we will always defend the sovereignty of the Philippines,” he said.
Gavan, meanwhile, emphasized that the presence of the new district will serve as a “beacon of sovereignty and sanctuary for the Filipino people.”
Tulfo, on the other hand, assured the PCG of the Senate’s full support, including additional funding and policies for modernization, praising personnel for their resilience and dedication.
Speaking before local officials, military personnel and civilians, Tulfo commended the resilience of residents and uniformed forces stationed in the Kalayaan Island Group.
Tulfo announced that key infrastructure projects in the municipality will be proposed for funding under the 2027 General Appropriations Act. Among these are the improvement of municipal facilities and the completion of a Barangay Health Center, which he committed to finish by next year.
Tulfo said he coordinated with Secretary Rex Gatchalian, head of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), to provide financial assistance to residents through the agency’s Sustainable Livelihood Program.
Under the initiative, each family on the island is set to receive P15,000 in seed capital, which Tulfo encouraged residents to pool together to establish a cooperative trading outpost.
The store would supply essential goods such as food, clothing, and school items, helping reduce reliance on irregular supply chains.
The distribution of assistance is scheduled within the week, he said.
To address the island’s isolation, Tulfo proposed the establishment of a monthly ferry service connecting Pag-asa Island to mainland Palawan, particularly the towns of Quezon and nearby areas.
The service, which he said would be funded through his Senate office, will be free for residents and used to transport both passengers and goods.
The ferry is expected to ease travel for medical consultations, procurement of supplies, and coordination with local government units.
FRANCO JOSE BAROÑA, JAVIER JOE ISMAEL, AFP
The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately reply to a request for comment on Thursday.
The Philippines last month revealed plans to rename more than 100 island features in the Spratlys in a bid to reinforce its “sovereignty” in the South China Sea.
China subsequently accused Manila of breaking international law while threatening unspecified measures to protect its own claims.
