PCG denies Chinese claim of turning Escoda Shoal into ‘forward base’

A Philippine Coast Guard official on Monday denied China's claims that it plans to turn Escoda Shoal into a “forward base” after Chinese vessels reportedly performed “dangerous maneuvers” that resulted in collisions with Filipino ships in the West Philippine Sea.

“For the information of everyone, these 44-meter vessels are just going to carry out a routine resupply operation for our Coast Guard troops. These deployed in Lawak Island and in Patag,” Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a forum.

“It is not intended to reinforce or to make true the prediction of China that we're going to strengthen our presence there as a forward base,” Tarriela added.

Two Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs), BRP Cape Engaño and BRP Bagacay, were en route to deliver essential supplies to personnel stationed in Patag and Lawak Islands on Monday when China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels confronted and collided with them near Escoda Shoal.

“Many days ago, the Chinese have always been complaining on the presence of BRP Teresa Magbanua in Escoda Shoal. They even called the vessel as “semi aground". They are even saying that we are going to use BRP Teresa Magbanua as our deployment base for the Philippine government,” Tarriela said.

BRP Teresa Magbanua, one of the PCG’s largest and most modern ships, has been stationed in Escoda Shoal since April amid reports of China’s reclamation activities in the area.

According to Tarriela, CCG vessels stopped shadowing PCG ships near Escoda Shoal after the Philippine ships arrived in Lawak and Patag Islands.

“They thought that these were just going directly to Escoda Shoal, that's why CCG vessels together with the Chinese maritime militia did a lot of dangerous maneuvers, preventing our coast guard vessels to reach Escoda Shoal,” he said.

“Right after we have already proceeded with our own destination, for [BRP Bagacay] going to Patag and BRP Cape Engaño going to Lawak Island, we realized that the CCG seemingly disengaged in shadowing our 44-meter vessels,” he added.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry recently lodged a formal protest over the presence of BRP Teresa Magbanua at the Escoda Shoal.

"China has protested to the Philippines through diplomatic channels and asked the Philippines to stop its infringement activities and withdraw the vessel at once,” it said.

It added that “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."

Escoda or Sabina Shoal is located 75 nautical miles or about 140 kilometers off Palawan and is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Despite talks of de escalation, tensions continue amid Beijing’s massive claim in the South China Sea (SCS), including the portion the Philippines refers to as the West Philippine Sea.

The SCS is a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. Aside from the Philippines, China has overlapping claims in the area with Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China does not recognize the decision and has deployed its coast guard, navy and maritime militia in a display of force and bid to control the disputed waters. —RF, GMA Integrated News