Philippine Island opposes Beijing in the South China Sea

On a total of 37 hectares, Philippine managed pagasa – or “Hope” island – great enough to live. There is almost nothing.

300 or so residents live in a cluster of small, wooden houses. Clear, turquoise fishing in water and which vegetables grow in the sandy soil.

However, these controversial waters are not alone: ​​only outside the coast, are located in the west, the arm of ships.

All this is a large fishing vessels that are from the sea, from the sea, from the coast or so-called naval militia, which ensure the dominance of the sea. We count at least 20 as our plane approaches the island.

Over the past 10 years, China, taking the coral rocks in the South Chinese Sea, the placement of hundreds of ships, placing hundreds of ships, placing three large air base, to strengthen the claim that almost all strategic sea stripes are in the south.

Southeastern Asian countries dare to withdraw several of Asian countries, which also claims to the same sea islands; Only Vietnam and Filipino did it. The servicemen of both countries are smaller than China, but they have a handful of rock and island.

Pagasa – Thitu and other names are also known as a few other countries, because it is the largest of them.

This is an exception, the civilian population found in several islands in the South China Sea. From the Philippine’s point of view, this is a partially underwater rock or sandy cay, strengthens legal claims in the area.

“Pagasa is very important for us,” said Jonathan Malaya, Deputy Director General of the Philippines National Security Council, informs the BBC.

“It has a runway. It may be supported – there are a resident Philippine community and fishermen living there.

“Given the size of the island, one of several people who do not need to withdraw from the sea, create 12 naval sea sea sea sea sea sea.

“So in a way, a Linchpin for the presence of the Philippines.”

To reach pagasa is a three-day ship ride from a telephone exchanger or a three-day shipping trip, but both of them are often in the mercy of stormy air.

Until two years ago, the runway was released and 1300 m (4,600 feet), only small planes could land. Now they can bring Big C130 transport planes. As we travel to them, it’s just as a little like a bus driving a busy hour.

Everything should be brought from the mainland, so our plane, mattrinkles, eggs, rice, a few motorcycles and a pilot, most flights should be.

Many things have changed in recent years. During the storms, the plane has a large enough hangar for shelter. They build a control tower and dig a small port to allow larger ships. Philippines have managed around the island by some maritime pedestrians located there, although given the size, it seemed necessary

When the Philippine left Taiwan Garrison during Typhoon, he seized Pagasa from Taiwan in 1971. In 1978, he was officially announced by the Philippines.

Then the government began to encourage civilians to be located there. But this remote area needs support to survive in this remote landslide. Families get the official donations of food, water and other groceries every month. Now there’s an electric and mobile phone connection, but it just came four years ago.

In addition to government work, fishing is the only way of living for living and has become more difficult since the Chinese flotillery arrival.

Fisherman Larry Hugo has lived on the island for 16 years and is a high level of the growing area of ​​the area. He ended the preliminary construction of Pagasa, 32 km (20 miles) of Pagasa, which is the full-size military base. In 2021, one of the videos showing a small wooden ship showing about a wooden ship by a Chinese coastal ship made him a small famous.

But the Chinese aggression forced him to fish in a smaller area closer.

“Their ships are great compared to us, and the horns are persecuted. Therefore, we are afraid of us. Now, I do not go to me, but it is like the fish.”

Reallyn Limbo, who has been a teacher on the island for 10 years and has been in the school that has been in a small hut, from 100 students from 100 students and children over the age of 18.

“This is like a paradise,” he says. “It takes care of all our basic needs. Kids can play basketball or swimming after school. We do not need shopping centers or all materials.”

Pagasa is really quiet. Play music in the fierce afternoon temperature in baths or plays in their balconies. Substantial Alojado, a rural health worker, shaken a small baby to help you sleep.

“The biggest problem for us is people, especially children, when they are sick,” he says.

“If it is serious, we must evacuate them by the mainland. I am not a registered nurse, so I can’t perform complex medical tasks. But planes are not always available and are very rough for travel.

“When this happens, we should take care of them as much as best.”

However, he also appreciates the peace of the island. “We are free from many stress. We receive a subsidized food and some of us can grow. In the big city you need money in the big city.”

We found that several new houses were set up, but there is no place for pagasa to placement more people. For very little, young people usually leave the island after graduating from school. For all sleepy charm and surprisingly white sandy beaches, a garrison is a garrison that captures the line that seems only in the sea.

“The pilot says,” Pilot says: “Chinese people always apply to us at Subi Reef,” he said. “We always warn that we enter the territory of China without permission.”

They never try to stop you? “No, this is daily. They say that this is the territory of the Philippines. We do it every time.”

Jonathan Malaya protested against the Azerbaijani embassy with the participation of vessels considered by PAGASA’s territorial waters of the Philippines every week. This is the previous management of the previous management of President Rodrigo Dutyterte, which prevents China’s conflict in the Philippines.

“I think we will respect our place than China and we will show that we can show this game. However, such as this game, the problem of democracies can change with new controls.”