Philippines Opens Coast Guard Base on Thitu Island

April 11, 2026

Summary

Philippines opened a coast guard command on Thitu Island, reinforcing its presence in contested South China Sea waters.

Why this matters

The move underscores the Philippines’ efforts to strengthen its presence in a strategic waterway claimed by multiple governments. It also highlights ongoing tensions in the South China Sea despite an international ruling rejecting China’s broad claims.

The Philippines on Thursday opened a coast guard district command on Thitu Island in the South China Sea, a disputed area where Chinese ships regularly patrol nearby waters.

Chinese officials did not immediately comment on the opening of the base on Thitu, which has long been occupied by Filipino forces and civilians but is also claimed by China. Vietnam and Taiwan also claim the island.

Philippine Transport Secretary Giovanni Lopez, Sen. Erwin Tulfo, and coast guard commander Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan flew to the island for a brief ceremony that coincided with the country’s Day of Valor commemoration.

“This is a permanent step for us to show that our coast guard is ready to defend our interest in the waters, our fishermen, their livelihood and, most importantly, our sovereignty,” Lopez said.

The coast guard said the command would be led by a commodore and supported by personnel, patrol ships, and aircraft for law enforcement, monitoring, environmental protection, and search and rescue. It also said smaller outposts would be built on other Philippine-held outcrops.

Thitu, known in the Philippines as Pag-asa, is home to about 400 residents. It is one of nine islands, islets, and atolls held by Philippine forces since the 1970s and is administered as part of Palawan province.

Vice Mayor MP Albayda said residents regularly see Chinese coast guard and militia ships near the island. “Everyday, our villagers see Chinese coast guard and militia ships all around the island,” Albayda told The Associated Press. “This new coast guard district command is a big morale booster for them.”

China claims almost the entire South China Sea despite a 2016 arbitration ruling that invalidated those claims under the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. Beijing rejected the ruling and did not take part in the arbitration.

More than a decade ago, China began turning seven disputed reefs in the Spratly Islands into island bases, including Subi Reef, about 24 kilometers (15 miles) southeast of Thitu. Thitu has internet and cellphone service, more stable power and water supplies, a cemented runway, a wharf, a grade school, a gymnasium, and an evacuation center.

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