No China flag on Kota Island in WPS — Palace

Malacañang yesterday denied that China has planted its flag in a sand cay near the Philippine-controlled Kota Island in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said a “very reliable source” had told him that there were no China flags off Kota Island, which is part of the Kalayaan Island Group.

“I inquired about that and apparently, as of this stage, there is no flag, you know, as of this stage,” Abella said in a press briefing.

But Abella confirmed the presence of civilian ships in the area.

“It seems that the place, in itself, is subject to many… passers-through and in fact, there are evidences of people who do park there. These are not military but mainly citizens… and not white or gray ships,” the presidential spokesman said.

Earlier, Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano revealed that a Chinese flag has been planted on a sand cay located seven nautical miles off Kota Island, a development that he said proved the continuous activities of China in the West Philippine Sea.

Alejano, a former military officer and a critic of the Duterte administration, said the flag was mounted on a steel pipe and was discovered last July. A Chinese ship erected the three-meter high flag on the sand cay, the lawmaker added.

He said China’s activities in the West Philippine Sea and the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone are “concerning” and urged the government to be transparent on issues related to the maritime dispute.