Senators who flew to Pag-asa island on Thursday, May 16, personally encountered China's bullying when it comes to asserting its claim over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), and were met with verbal challenges on the radio to leave their supposed territory. Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri was quick to issue a strong reply to the 20 or so Chinese militia vessels who were encroaching the area near the island, and were outnumbering a Navy ship and a single Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel.

Nazario, D., & Pedrajas, J. (2024, May 18). This is PH territory, Zubiri tells crew of Chinese vessels off Pag-asa Island. Manila Bulletin, pp. 1, 8.