Thitu Island

Thitu Island, locally Pag-asa, is the largest Philippine-administered island in the Spratly archipelago and forms part of the municipality of Kalayaan in Mimaropa. It functions as the Philippines’ primary permanent settlement in the Spratlys.

The island supports a small civilian community alongside Philippine military and administrative facilities, and includes an airstrip and port infrastructure that permit limited flights and supply ships. The settlement provides basic services and is the center of the Philippines’ on-island administration.

The island has been developed and occupied by the Philippines in the late 20th and early 21st centuries to support territorial administration and civilian habitation in the disputed Spratly group. Infrastructure has been added incrementally to support the resident population and garrison.

Thitu/Pag-asa is located in the north-central part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea and is remote from the Philippine main islands; access is by sea or limited military/government flights.

• Local name and settlement: Locally known as Pag-asa, the island hosts a small civilian settlement alongside a Philippine military garrison and basic government facilities.
• Access infrastructure: An airstrip and pier on the island allow limited aircraft and ship access; transport is typically by military or supply vessels and occasional government flights.