President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines to occupy all islands being claimed by the country in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). Speaking to reporters following a visit to a Palawan military camp, Duterte said he wanted to “maintain our jurisdiction” over the islands in the disputed waters. Pag-asa Island, the largest of those that make up the Kalayaan Island Group and the second largest in the whole of the Spratlys, is a fifth-class municipality with about 300 residents and soldiers. The island is located 480 kilometers off the coast of Palawan.

Valente, C. S. (2017, April 7). ‘Occupy all islands in West PH Sea’. The Manila Times, pp. A1, A2.