PCG: PH to deploy other ships to Escoda Shoal after BRP Teresa Magbanua pullout

The national government is planning to deploy other vessels to Escoda Shoal as a replacement for BRP Terersa Magbanua after it was pulled out over the weekend, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Monday.

“There are other Coast Guard vessels that we intend to deploy sa Escoda Shoal. Yes, that's the plan of the national government,” PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita in an interview.

Asked when these ships will be deployed to Escoda Shoal considering that China may conduct reclamation amid the absence of Philippine vessels in the area, Tarriela said it will not take that long.

“Hindi naman siguro tatagal nang ganyan. Sa mabilis na panahon, ang PCG po ay we are planning out the deployment without disclosing the operational details our plan,” he said.

(Maybe it won't take that long. Soon, the PCG is planning out the deployment without disclosing the operational details of our plan.)

According to Tarriela, the Philippines will sustain its presence in Escoda Shoal.

EXPLAINER: What is the Sabina Shoal and why is it important?

BRP Teresa Magbanua was pulled out from Escoda Shoal on Sunday due to its questionable seaworthiness, lack of supplies for the crew, and the bad weather condition.

For Tarriela, BRP Teresa Magbanua accomplished her mission to deter China from conducting reclamation activities and protect the marine environment in Escoda Shoal.

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

Escoda, also known as 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). 

China has been urging the Philippines to remove BRP Terera Magbanua from Escoda Shoal as its presence supposedly violated Chinese sovereignty. The Chinese Foreign Ministry even lodged a formal protest over the presence of the Philippine ship in Escoda Shoal.

China recently performed aggressive actions against Philippine ships around Escoda Shoal.

On August 31, the Philippine government reported that a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel "intentionally" and repeatedly rammed PCG’s BRP Teresa Magbanua.

CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun said the Philippine ship, "illegally stranded" at the shoal, had lifted anchor, and "deliberately rammed" a Chinese vessel. 

"The Chinese coast guard will take the measures required to resolutely thwart all acts of provocation, nuisance and infringement and resolutely safeguard the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," Liu had said.

Aside from this, CCG ships on August 26 blocked two PCG vessels on a rotation and reprovisioning mission to the BRP Teresa Magbanua.

CCG vessels on August 25 rammed and used a water cannon on the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ BRP Datu Sanday.

On August 19, CCG vessels also had collisions with PCG vessels near Escoda while the latter were on their way to deliver supplies to Patag and Lawak Islands.

Tensions continue amid China’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 Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has not recognized the decision. —KBK, GMA Integrated News