Aerial photo of Pagasa Island (Thitu Island) taken from C-130 plane of Philippine Air Force (Courtesy of Wikipedia).

According to Wikipedia:

The second largest Spratly island. Serves as the poblacion for the Municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan, Phils. It is covered with trees and has a variety of fauna. It is home to some 300+ civilians (including children) and over 50 soldiers. Other islands are expected to be populated before 2010. Population is regulated to protect the islands’ flora and fauna and to avoid tension with other countries. It has 1.4 km airstrip, a marina, water filtering plant, power generator and a commercial communications tower (by Smart Communications). The Philippines’ Department of Tourism is making improvements to the island to make it profitable. Occupied since 1968. Part of Thitu Reefs.

The Spratly joint project is now becoming a hot issue in Philippine politics as it might have a link to the controversial gov’t and & ZTE deal.