Lankiam Cay

Lankiam Cay or Panata Island ( _tl. Panata; zh-cp|c=杨信沙洲|p=Yangxin Shazhou; _vi. Cồn San Hô Lan Can) is the fifteenth largest and the smallest Spratly island. It is the seventh largest among Philippine-occupied islands. It has an area of 0.44 hectares (4,400 sq. m). It is located 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Philippine-occupied Kota Island (Loaita Island). This island is administered by the Philippines as part of Kalayaan, Palawan. "Panata" is the Tagalog word for oath.

Environment

A few years ago this island has a surface area of more than 5 hectares but strong waves brought by a strong typhoon washed out the sandy surface (beach) of the island leaving behind today the calcarenite foundation that can be seen at low tide. It has a wide lagoon where Philippine Marines used to raise up to five sharks at a time.

Philippine occupation

This island is claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam with the Philippines currently occupying it. It is guarded by soldiers stationed at nearby Kota Island (Loaita Island). 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). Kota soldiers also regularly visit Panata.

ee also

*Spratly Islands
*Kalayaan, Palawan
*Policies, activities and history of the Philippines in Spratly Islands

External links

* [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?num=30&hl=en&safe=off&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=112047810770307867127.0004460b96d655257cc9c&ll=10.711087,114.535217&spn=0.017542,0.040169&t=k&z=15 Google Map of Lankiam Cay]