Losing Escoda Shoal to China will threaten PH energy security — Carpio

Allowing China to build an artificial island on Escoda (Sabina) Shoal will have a decades-long impact on the Philippines' energy security, retired Supreme Court senior associate justice Antonio Carpio warned.

According to a report by Jonathan Andal on 24 Oras on Wednesday, Carpio underscored the need to defend Escoda Shoal because of its proximity to Recto (Reed) Bank and the rich oil deposits there.

"[Kapag] may outpost sila [sa Escoda], puwede nila bantayan 24 hours a day 'yung Reed Bank... Reed Bank is rich in gas... Ang estimate natin, two to three times larger than Malampaya," said Carpio, referring to the Malampaya natural gas field in northern Palawan.

(If China builds an outpost on Escoda Shoal, they can guard Reed Bank 24 hours a day... Reed Bank is rich in gas... Our estimate is that it's two to three times larger than Malampaya.)

"'Yung Malampaya supplied us for about 25 years with gas. 'Yung gas diyan [sa Reed Bank], two to three times larger. So it could even last up to 75 years," added Carpio, who was part of the Philippine delegation in the 2013 arbitration case against China.

(Malampaya supplied us for about 25 years with gas. The gas there in Reed Bank is two to three times larger. So it could even last up to 75 years.)

Manila won the case in a landmark award in 2016 after the the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands invalidated China's claims.

Carpio's statement came after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that the dumping of crushed corals near Escoda Shoal may be in preparation for China's reclamation activities to build structures on top of the maritime feature.

The PCG has deployed its largest vessel, the BRP Teresa Magbanua, to protect Escoda Shoal after monitoring the presence of Chinese vessels, including three research ships that dispatch divers and measuring equipment to the seabed.

The 24 Oras report said nearly 40 Chinese ships have been spotted near Escoda Shoal, but kept at bay because of the month-long station of the BRP Teresa Magbanua.

"Nagda-dive pa rin sila (They are still sending divers), but I don't think that they are still continuing their efforts of doing illegal reclamation," said Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.

"Our mere presence there has already deterred the People's Republic of China in continuing their illegal reclamation," Tarriela said.

Last Saturday, Tarriela said 34 Chinese maritime militia vessels had been monitored at Escoda Shoal, as well as three People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ships, a PLA Navy helicopter, and four China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels.

"Right now, it is a flashpoint because 'yun nga, doon natin nakita 'yung China na mag-uumpisa na mag-dredge, no? Mag-create ng artificial islands," Carpio said.

(Right now, it is a flashpoint because we have seen that China is starting to dredge there and create artificial islands.)

Rendezvous point

Escoda Shoal serves as a rendezvous point for resupply missions to Filipino troops at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal.

Near Ayungin Shoal is Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, which China has transformed into a military base. In 1985, China constructed what it claimed to be shelters for fishermen within the Panganiban Reef.

"It will be easier for them na tuluyang harangan ang ating resupply operation sa Ayungin (It will be easier for them to effectively block our resupply operations to Ayungin)," Tarriela said.

Should it succeed in building an island on Escoda Shoal, the 24 Oras report said, China will secure a strategic position near Ayungin Shoal and the BRP Sierra Madre itself.

Chester Cabalza of the Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Council said, "Sa tingin natin ang ginagawa nila ay quiet encirclement... and at the same time para mapalubog din nila 'yung BRP Sierra Madre na nandoon sa Second Thomas Shoal."

(We believe that what they are doing is quiet encirclement... and at the same time this would lead to the sinking of the BRP Sierra Madre at the Second Thomas Shoal.)

Escoda Shoal lies just 75 nautical miles or about 139 kms. from the main Palawan island.

In comparison, Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) is 106.3 nautical miles or 197 kms. from Palawan. China has repeatedly impeded Philippine resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal, using aggressive maneuvers, military-grade lasers, and water cannons during past incidents.

Both Escoda Shoal and Ayungin Shoal are well within the 200-nautical mile (370.4 kms.) Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ), parts of which overlap with Beijing's expansive claims over the South China Sea.

The 24 Oras report said it has requested comment from China, although it had previously denied building an artificial island on Escoda Shoal.

According to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), the 24 Oras report said, China has constructed seven artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea since 2013, most of which now serve as military bases. — VDV, GMA Integrated News