Philippine Coast Guard Assesses Environmental Impact of Grounded Chinese Vessel Near Pag-asa Island

A Chinese maritime militia vessel ran aground near Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the Kalayaan Island Group of the West Philippine Sea during adverse weather conditions, prompting the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and military to respond and assess the situation. The vessel, identified with bow number 16838, was stranded on Pag-asa Reef 1 but was later refloated and pulled away by a China Coast Guard ship and two Chinese fishing vessels after several hours. The PCG is preparing to conduct an environmental damage assessment to evaluate potential ecological impacts caused by the incident, which occurred within Philippine territorial waters. Local fisherfolk expressed concern that the grounding could be a deliberate move similar to previous Chinese tactics of asserting control by grounding ships in disputed areas. Philippine authorities have been monitoring Chinese Coast Guard vessels operating unlawfully within the country's exclusive economic zone, in the context of ongoing territorial disputes rooted in China's broad South China Sea claims rejected by a 2016 arbitral ruling. Meanwhile, the Philippine Department of National Defense plans to strengthen its presence by constructing an airstrip and Navy station in Palawan under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the United States.