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Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano聽on Tuesday聽alleged that a Chinese flag was planted on a sand cay seven nautical miles off Kota Island, an indication that China鈥檚 incursions on Philippine waters continue amid warmer relations between the two countries.

Alejano bared this information from a source he won鈥檛 identify to protect said source. He said the presence of the Chinese flag was detected by ship, adding that he has yet to verify if the flag continues to be planted there.

He said the flag was detected planted in the sandy cay around the third week of July this year, and that a Chinese vessel was the one which planted the three-meter flag.

鈥淎ccording to the information that I received, a Chinese flag mounted on a steel pipe was discovered planted on a sand cay located seven nautical miles northeast off Kota Island. It was discovered around third week of July 2017. A Chinese vessel allegedly erected the said 3-meter high Chinese flag on a sand cay which is known to be within a Philippine-controlled area,鈥� Alejano said.

Alejano lamented the Department of Foreign Affairs鈥� silence on these Chinese activities in Philippine waters, which he said only proves that Chinese incursions on the West Philippine Sea continue amid warmer ties between the two countries.

鈥淭he continuous activities of China in the disputed waters in the West Philippine Sea are very concerning. These recently reported incidents only reveal that Chinese activities in the West Philippine Sea have not stopped amid warmer relations between the Philippines and China. Furthermore, this contradicts China鈥檚 supposed commitment to peace and stability in the area through maintaining the status quo,鈥� Alejano said.

Alejano made the discovery amid Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio鈥檚 claim China practically invaded Sandy Cay, a sandbar off the coast of Pag-asa island that had permanently risen above the waters, with the presence of Chinese ships guarding Sandy Cay.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano has denied Carpio鈥檚 claim of invasion, adding that the DFA is withholding all facts to avoid hampering talks with China.

搁贰础顿:听

Alejano slammed the DFA鈥檚 unnerving silence on the situation in the South China Sea, denying Cayetano鈥檚 claim that Alejano鈥檚 revelations on Chinese incursions somehow 鈥渟tirred鈥� the situation to hamper diplomatic talks.

鈥淗indi pwede yung strategy of silence鈥� I think it鈥檚 my duty to inform the people. I disagree with the statement of Secretary Cayetano that my statement is some sort of stirring up the people, rather than informing them. I beg to disagree,鈥� Alejano said in the press briefing.

鈥淜arapatan natin na malaman ano ba ang giangawa ng gobyerno diyan,鈥� he added.

Alejano earlier alleged that聽Chinese Navy and Coast Guard vessels as well as maritime militia were spotted north of Pag-asa Island, an allegation Cayetano downplayed as an incident that is not a cause for alarm.聽JE

搁贰础顿:听Alejano hits back at Cayetano: Chinese presence 鈥榤eans something鈥櫬�