The Philippines maintains its right to deploy a new coast guard vessel to Escoda Shoal, following the repositioning of BRP Teresa Magbanua, which has been rammed by China Coast Guard, former Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said on Monday.
The retired magistrate acknowledged this move as a lawful exercise of the Philippines’ rights and sovereignty in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea. He noted that China must not view this development negatively.
“Escoda Shoal is part of the EEZ of the Philippines, which has the exclusive right to exploit the natural resources in Escoda Shoal and anywhere within Philippine EEZ. The Phil also has the exclusive right to erect a structure on Escoda Shoal,” he told the Manila Standard.
Carpio emphasized that this action cannot be deemed as escalatory by China, given the Philippines’ legitimate rights over the shoal. “China has no such rights. In exercising its rights in its EEZ, the Philippines cannot be considered as provoking China or any other country,” he said.
The WPS advocate underscored that there are no grounds for China to oppose this deployment, as any such objections would be a clear violation of international law, which recognizes the Philippines’ exclusive and lawful rights over Escoda Shoal.
The disputed reef is located 140 kilometers (86 miles) west of the Philippine island of Palawan and about 1,200 kilometers from Hainan island, the closest Chinese landmass.
Echoing Carpio’s perspective, Matteo Piasentini, Senior Lecturer at the University of the Philippines – Diliman Department of Political Science, outlined the situation regarding the Philippines’ decision to deploy a new set of coast guard and law enforcement vessels to Escoda Shoal.
“If we talk about implications, we directly assume that China may see this further deployment as a provocation. However, it is in the Philippines’ interest and right to deploy coast guard and law enforcement vessels within its exclusive economic zone,” Piasentini told Manila Standard.
The political scientist and lecturer noted that while there may be concerns about China perceiving this deployment as a provocation, it remains within the Philippines’ rights and interests to maintain a presence in Escoda Shoal.
Piasentini acknowledged the possibility of Chinese attempts to obstruct or challenge Philippine vessels, which could lead to dangerous escalations. However, he expressed confidence that the Philippines is well-prepared to handle such provocations, reflecting the country’s matured capabilities in managing these high-stakes maritime dynamics.
