The situation on Thitu Island, also known as Pag-asa Island, is a vivid example of the escalating tensions in the South China Sea. Occupied by the Philippines since 1974, Thitu is home to a small civilian population and serves as a frontline in the territorial disputes with China, which claims much of the surrounding waters.
The residents of Thitu, such as Larry Hugo and his daughter Abegail, have faced increasing challenges due to the growing Chinese military presence. Over the years, they have seen an increase in Chinese vessels and surveillance activities, making their lives on the island more complicated and tense. Despite this, the community remains resilient, with locals like Hugo expressing their determination to stay and defend their home.
The island has seen development over the years, with new infrastructure like a health clinic, school, port, and even a small naval station. These improvements have made life on Thitu more sustainable, although the residents still face hardships, such as limited food supplies during bad weather and a lack of certain amenities and foods they miss from the mainland.
The Philippines considers the presence of civilians on Thitu as crucial to their claim over the island, as international laws protect civilian areas from military attacks. The government has also provided incentives, such as free water and rice subsidies, to encourage people to live on the island and support its claim.
As the geopolitical situation in the South China Sea remains tense, the residents of Thitu continue to live with uncertainty. However, they are committed to their island, seeing themselves as protectors of their nation’s sovereignty in this disputed region.