The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has installed five 30-foot-long navigational buoys carrying the Philippine flag in four critical islands in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to mark its territory and assert the country’s sovereignty in the disputed waters. The buoys now stand as symbols of coastal state administration in Lawak (Nanshan) Island, Likas (West York) Island, Parola Island (Northeast Cay), and Pag-asa (Thitu) Island. Recall that in July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands rendered a comprehensive ruling on the Philippines’ case against China.

PH flag-marked marine buoys affirm our sovereignty in WPS. (2022, May 24). Manila Bulletin, p. 4.