Loaita Island
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Loaita Island or Kota Island ( Tagalog: Kota, Chinese: 南鑰島; pinyin: Nanyue Dao; Template:Lang-vi) is the tenth largest Spratly island. It is the fifth largest Philippine-occupied Spratly island. Its area is 6.45 hectares. It is located 22 miles (35 km) southeast of Philippine-occupied Thitu Island (Pagasa Island) and 22 miles (35 km) north-northeast of Taiwan-occupied Itu Aba Island. This island is administered by the Philippines as part of Kalayaan, Palawan. Kota is a Philippine word for a fort. This island is also claimed by the People's Republic of China, Republic of China (Taiwan) and Vietnam.
Environment
Loaita fringes the Loaita bank and reef. Its calcarenite outcrop is visible along its western side at low tide. The present shape of the island indicates sand buildup along its eastern side. The anchor-shaped side will eventually connect with the northern portion as the sand buildup continues thereby creating another mini-lagoon in the process. The presence of migrating sea birds adds to the high phosphorus contents of the sand found in the island. Occasionally, giant sea turtles are reported to be laying their eggs in the island. It is covered with mangrove bushes, above which rose coconut palms and other small trees.
Philippine Occupation
Several Philippine soldiers are stationed here since 1968, when Philippines occupied this feature. There are only one to two structures in this island that serve as shelters of the soldiers.
The soldiers stationed here are also the guards of nearby Lankiam Cay (Panata Island) which lies 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Kota Island. It is also occupied by the Philippines. Panata Island is too small and manning it 24 hours is a difficult task. Hence, soldiers at Kota Island guard Panata afar by regularly "watching" it from a tall structure (to increase the horizon distance). They also regularly visit Panata.
Loaita Nan and Loaita Cay, which are distinct from Kota Island, lies 5 miles (8 km) northwest and 1.5 miles (2 km) south-northeast of Kota respectively. These are unoccupied features but are largely controlled by the Philippines for their close proximity with Kota Island.
See also
- Spratly Islands
- Kalayaan, Palawan
- Policies, activities and history of the Philippines in Spratly Islands