MARIING kinondena ni Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez ang mga bagong aktibidad ng China Coast Guard (CCG) sa Sandy Cay, at iginiit na walang anumang gawa-gawang palabas ng China ang magpapahina sa lehitimong soberanya ng Pilipinas sa saklaw nitong teritoryo at exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“I strongly denounce the latest actions of the China Coast Guard in and around Sandy Cay, an area well within the Philippines’ EEZ and unquestionably part of Philippine sovereignty,” giit ni Speaker Romualdez. “The Filipino people will not be bullied in our own backyard. Team Pilipinas tayo!”

Ipinunto ng lider ng Kamara, ang pagpapadala ng mga tauhan ng China at ang paglaladlad ng watawat ng China sa Sandy Cay ay isa lamang mapanlinlang na palabas.

Iginiit niya na ang Sandy Cay ay pag-aari ng mga Pilipino, at hindi ng China na lumalabag sa international law.

“The deployment of Chinese personnel to Sandy Cay, their unfurling of a Chinese flag, and their so-called ‘inspection’ activities are nothing more than desperate and cheap stunts, an orchestrated spectacle meant to mislead and bolster their illegitimate claims,” saad pa ni Speaker Romualdez.

Pinaalalahanan niya ang publiko na ang Sandy Cay ay nasa apat na nautical miles lamang mula sa Pag-asa Island at ito ay nasa ilalim ng hurisdiksyon ng Pilipinas.

“Let me be clear: Sandy Cay, located just 4 nautical miles from our own Pag-asa Island, is Philippine territory. We have continuously and effectively exercised jurisdiction over it. The 2016 Arbitral Award has already invalidated China’s sweeping and baseless claims across the South China Sea, including Sandy Cay,” ayon pa sa pinuno ng Kamara de Representantes.

Dahil sa mga pangyayaring ito, sinabi ni Speaker Romualdez na mabilis na kumilos ang mga otoridad ng Pilipinas para ipakita ang presensya ng bansa sa lugar.

“In response to these provocative actions, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) conducted a coordinated Inter-Agency Maritime Operation (IAMO) on April 27, 2025, covering Pag-asa Cay 1, Cay 2, and Cay 3, along with their surrounding waters,” diin pa niya.

Binigyang-diin niya na ang operasyon ng IAMO ay isinagawa ng mga puwersa ng Pilipinas nang naaayon sa batas.

“This operation—carried out by the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine National Police-Maritime Group—demonstrates the Philippines’ lawful, routine, and rightful exercise of sovereignty over our waters and features,” ayon kay Speaker Romualdez.

Inulit niya ang posisyon ng NTF-WPS na ang mga ganitong operasyon ay bahagi ng mapayapang pagpapatibay ng karapatan ng bansa sa karagatang sakop nito.

“The NTF-WPS emphasized—and I reiterate—that this is a routine inter-agency operation reinforcing the Philippine Government’s unwavering commitment to uphold our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea. We will continue to safeguard our maritime domain, adhere to international law, and work toward maintaining peace and stability in the region,” paliwanag pa ng mambabatas.

Nagbigay siya ng malinaw na mensahe sa Beijing, na humihiling na itigil na nila ang kanilang agresibong mga kilos.

“I call on China: cease these reckless provocations. Respect international law. Stop these cheap stunts,” giit pa ni Speaker Romualdez.

Sa kabila ng mga kamakailang aksyon ng China, sinabi ng lider ng Kamara na nananatiling matatag at nagkakaisa ang Pilipinas sa pagtatanggol ng pambansang soberanya.

Aniya, “The Philippines stands firm, ready and united in defending what is ours: through peaceful, principled and lawful means.”

Tiniyak din nito na susuportahan ng Kamara ang mga hakbang ng Executive branch at security forces sa pagtatanggol ng teritoryo ng Pilipinas.

“The House of Representatives will continue to support all efforts by the Executive branch, our armed forces, and our law enforcement agencies to protect our people, our territory, and our future,” diin pa ni Speaker Romualdez.