65 Chinese ships in Escoda Shoal — PH Navy

China has 65 ships in Escoda Shoal but it is not in control of the said feature in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), according to the Philippine Navy on Tuesday.

“In Escoda or Sabina Shoal, [China has] nine Coast Guard, four PLA Navy, and 52 maritime militias,” Philippine Navy spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said at a press briefing.

But Trinidad said, “They have never been in control. Their presence there is illegal. We will continue performing our mandate. We will not be deterred. Ang guidance sa atin [Our guidance to us] is not to let up not only in Escoda, Ayungin but all over the expanse of the WPS.”

Even without the presence of BRP Teresa Magbanua, Trinidad pointed that the Philippines has a range of different capabilities to monitor Escoda Shoal such as air-based and space-based.

“Presence is not only defined as the physical presence. By monitoring, we mean that we know what's happening, we know and see any changes or any developments especially on the level of the crushed corals.

“It does not only mean physical presence. There are ways how to monitor developments in Escoda Shoal,” he added.

Asked if the AFP has a vessel deployed in Escoda Shoal, Trinidad said he will have to check with the Western Command on the details on the matter.

PCG’s BRP Teresa Magbanua on Sunday was pulled out from Escoda Shoal due lack of supplies for the crew, and the bad weather condition in the area.

According to the PCG, other vessels will replace BRP Teresa Magbanua in Escoda Shoal.

Explainer: What is Sabina Shoal and why is it important?

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.

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

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).

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. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News