The headquarters of a newly established coast guard district, formerly overseen from neighbouring Palawan, will cover an area of about 68,000 square kilometers (26,000 square miles). An AFP journalist traveling to the new command centre on Pagasa Island, known as Thitu in the Philippines, saw multiple Chinese Coast Guard vessels patrolling nearby waters. Beijing claims the South China Sea in nearly its entirety, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis. "The establishment of the coast guard district here will also enhance the psyche, the mindset of each and every coast guard member, that... the defense of Kalayaan island group is a top priority," Gavan said, using the Filipino name for the Spratlys. The far-flung Kota and Parola islands will also see their substations raised to full station status, coast guard spokesman Jay Tarriela said.

Source: Philippine Star April 10, 2026 06:00 UTC