Pag-asa residents 'safe' from Chinese invasion, says Defense chief. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro has assured that residents of Pag-asa Island in the disputed South China Sea are protected from any potential Chinese military action. Amid rising tensions and the increased presence of Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels around the island, Teodoro emphasized the improbability of an attack on civilians by any rational state. His statement seeks to reassure both the islanders and the international community regarding the safety and sovereignty of Philippine territories.