Southwest Cay (Pugad Island) - Spratly Islands (sitios de interés)
Descripción del sitio
Int'l Name: Southwest CayPhilippine Name: Pugad Island
Chinese Name: ??? Nanzi Dao
Vietnamese Name: ??o Song T? Tây)
Occupied by Vietnam.
Area: 12 hectares.
The sixth largest Spratly island. Only 1.75 miles (2.82 km) from Northeast Cay. Previously a breeding place for birds and covered with trees and guano. Export of guano was once carried out "on a considerable scale." Fringing reef partly above water at high tide. Vietnam erected its first lighthouse in the Spratlys here in October 1993 and built an airstrip. Has a three-story building, garrisoned by soldiers. Philippine military controlled the island before early 1980's. Vietnamese forces invaded the island when Filipino soldiers guarding the island attended the birthday party of their commanding officer based in the nearby Northeast Cay. A confirmed report came out that Vietnamese prostitutes were sent by Vietnamese officials to the birthday party to lure the Filipino soldiers guarding the island