China has once again raised tensions in the South China Sea by planting flags on Sandy Cay, a disputed island claimed by both China and the Philippines. The move has been met with outrage from the Philippine government, which called the action a violation of international law.

In a statement, the Philippine Foreign Affairs Department condemned China's actions, saying they were "a clear violation of Philippine sovereignty" and called on China to remove the flags immediately. The island, which is located just 2.5 nautical miles from Philippine territory, has long been a point of contention between the two countries.

This latest escalation comes amidst growing tensions in the South China Sea, where China has been asserting its dominance by building artificial islands and militarizing the region. The United States has also expressed concern over China's actions in the area, calling for a peaceful resolution to the disputes.

The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with fears that any further escalation could lead to a military confrontation in the already volatile region. The Philippine government has vowed to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity in the South China Sea.