China files protest over PH vessel presence in Escoda Shoal

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said it lodged a formal protest over the presence of the Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Teresa Magbanua at the Escoda Shoal, which is in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ)

"Xianbin Jiao is part of  China’s Nansha Qundao. The Philippine vessel entered the lagoon of the  Xianbin Jiao without permission and has been there for a long time,  which seriously infringes on China’s sovereignty, violates the  Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and threatens the peace and stability in the South China Sea," said the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

"China has protested to the Philippines through diplomatic channels and asked the Philippines to stop its infringement activities and withdraw the vessel at once. China is closely monitoring the developments and will take resolute measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and uphold the sanctity of the DOC," it continued.

The Global Times reported that China's "formal protest" with the Philippines demands that it "immediately cease its infringement activities and withdraw the relevant vessels."

China has lodged a formal protest with the #Philippines through diplomatic channels, demanding that the Philippines immediately cease its infringement activities and withdraw the relevant vessels. China is closely monitoring the situation and will take resolute and effective… https://t.co/0A6U4omKuV

— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) August 16, 2024

The Philippine government deployed the BRP Teresa Magbanua to the Escoda Shoal, the longest Coast Guard deployment at the West Philippine Sea, PCG  spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said last month.

“The reason why the Monster ship was deployed in Escoda Shoal is to intimidate ang ating Coast Guard vessel 9701,” Tarriela told reporters.

“Alam naman natin na for more than 60 days or more than two months na  na-sustain ng Teresa Magbanua ang presence niya rito sa Escoda Shoal,”  he added.

(We know that for more than 60 days or more than two months, Teresa Magbanua has sustained her presence at the Escoda Shoal.)

BRP Teresa Magbanua has been stationed at the Escoda Shoal since April amid reports of China’s reclamation activities in the area.

The Escoda or Sabina Shoal is 75 nautical miles or about 140 kilometers off Palawan and is considered within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile  EEZ.

It is a coral reef formation with a central lagoon surrounded by discontinuous shallow sections.

GMA News Online already sought comment from the DFA to confirm the alleged diplomatic protest by China against the Philippines. — DVM, GMA Integrated News