By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Despite the presence of over 60 Chinese vessels at Escoda Shoal on Tuesday (17 Sept 2024), following the Philippines’ withdrawal of BRP Teresa Magbanua over the weekend, Philippine Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad asserted that China does not control Escoda Shoal and that Manila continues to monitor the area.

“Presence is not only defined as physical presence. We are developing a range of capabilities—sea-based, air-based, and space-based—with our partners and allies to monitor not just Escoda but the entire West Philippine Sea,” Trinidad stated.

During a media briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, he made the statement after reports revealed that the over 60 Chinese ships spotted at Escoda Shoal included 52 maritime militia vessels, 5 coast guard ships, and 4 People’s Liberation Army Navy ships.

Trinidad noted that Escoda Shoal is approximately 60 nautical miles from Panganiban Reef in a straight line and about 70 nautical miles from Palawan. Both Escoda and Panganiban are part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, he added.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, stated that adverse weather conditions were the primary reason for Magbanua’s return to its homeport.

ia/mnm

By Junex Doronio

MANILA —  The Phippine Coast Guard ( PCG) has revealed the latest harassment being experienced when a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel deliberately rammed BRP Teresa Magbanua multiple times at Escoda Shoal.

PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said the ramming incident occurred Saturday (31 August 2024) afternoon. No one was reported hurt.

“This afternoon, the Chinese Coast Guard vessel deliberately rammed and collided with the BRP Teresa Magbanua three times, despite no provocation from the Philippine Coast Guard,” Tarriela said.

The PCG official shared video footage of the ramming incidents.

Tarriela also shared a photo showing several Chinese coast guard and Chinese “maritime militia” vessels surrounding the Philippine law enforcement ship.

“This ramming happened despite unprovoked action and presence in Escoda Shoal… There’s a damage on the bridge swing and also on the sea board of the vessel  9701,” Tarriela said in a press conference.

Located just over 75 nautical miles from Palawan, Escoda Shoal is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay L. Carlson denounced the latest ramming incidents.

“The U.S. condemns the multiple dangerous violations of international law by the PRC, including today’s intentional ramming of the BRP Teresa Magbanua while it was conducting lawful operations within the PH EEZ. We stand with the Philippines in upholding international law,” Carlson said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).

ia/mnm

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Marine scientist Dr. Jonathan Anticamara from the University of the Philippines Institute of Biology conveyed on Saturday (June 8, 2024) that he remains skeptical about China’s plans to build an artificial island at Escoda Shoal, despite the recent discovery of heaps of crushed coral in the area.

PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela disclosed that dead and crushed corals were dumped on the sandbars of Sabina Shoal which altered their size and elevation.

“Right now we’re not sure… [but] we know that there is a growing pile of rubble that’s been observed in recent years,” Anticamara told reporters at the sidelines of the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.

Anticamara was among the marine scientists who went to Escoda Shoal in the WPS to conduct a marine scientific survey.

He said natural processes could have formed the piles of crushed coral near the shoal.

“But since we didn’t see China dumping it… We’re not 100% sure if dumping or reclamation is going on,” Anticamara admitted.

“Posibleng natural,” he added.

The UP marine scientist pointed out that the extent of damaged or dead corals could have piled up due to typhoons that hit the area.

Last month, the PCG raised suspicion that China could be building an artificial island in Escoda Shoal.

Sabina Shoal serves as the rendezvous point for vessels carrying out resupply missions to Filipino troops stationed on BRP Sierra Madre, a Second World War-era vessel deliberately grounded at Ayungin Shoal in 1999 during the administration of then President Joseph “Erap” Estrada.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Monday (3 June 2024) called the alleged reclamation a “rumor.”

However, even if still uncertain whether the piles of dead corals were dumped or natural, Anticamara said: “We need to pay attention.”

“We need to take some concrete action so that we can recover and restore degraded coral reefs in the Philippines,” the UP marine scientist stressed.

(el Amigo/mnm)