Philippines builds new coast guard station on island in South China Sea. The Philippines has constructed a new coast guard station on Thitu Island in the South China Sea, a strategic move to enhance surveillance capabilities over Chinese naval activities in the contested region. This development occurs amidst escalating tensions over territorial claims in the South China Sea, where several countries, including Brunei, China, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam, assert sovereignty. The facility, located on Thitu, known locally as Pag-asa, is equipped with advanced technology and is pivotal for Manila in asserting its territorial claims in these disputed waters.