PCG upholds presence in Escoda Shoal as China files protest

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday stood firm the Escoda Shoal is located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) based on international law and has the right to operate there despite China’s claims to the contrary. 

PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela issued the statement after the Chinese Foreign Ministry said it lodged a formal protest over the presence of the PCG vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua at Escoda Shoal.

According to Tarriela, Escoda Shoal is within the EEZ of the Philippines, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 arbitral award.

“Our Philippine Coast Guard vessels have the right to operate within the lagoon of Escoda Shoal for as long as necessary, without requiring permission from any other country,” said the PCG official.

China calls the Escoda Shoal the Xianbin Jiao, claiming it is a part of its Nansha Islands.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the BRP Teresa Magbanua “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.”

Tarriela, in return, slammed the ministry’s statement, saying that China should stop citing the 2002 declaration “as they have not honored or followed a single provision of that declaration.”

“As far as the region is concerned, it is only Beijing that constantly violates this declaration. They have been deploying their large Coast Guard vessels there, complemented by their numerous Chinese Maritime Militia,” the PCG commodore said.

“Additionally, they have deployed their naval assets in Escoda Shoal, and these actions undermine stability in these waters and contribute to escalating tensions,” he added.

Tarriela further explained the PCG deployed a vessel in Escoda Shoal not to provoke or escalate tensions but to protect and safeguard the Philippines’ sovereign rights over these waters, particularly against illegal poachers and activities that damage the marine environment.

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

In July, the PCG said the China Coast Guard ship CCG 5901, the world's largest coast guard ship known as "The Monster," was deployed to the Escoda Shoal to intimidate the BRP Teresa Magbanua.

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.—RF, GMA Integrated News