The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) denied on Saturday the suspicions of Beijing regarding the objective of BRP Teresa Magbanua on Escoda Shoal, also known as Sabina Shoal, which has been deployed in the area since April.
Despite being there for more than two months already, PCG Spokesperson for West Philippines Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela explained that the ship won’t be deliberately grounded, unlike what the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) did with BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) in Ayungin Shoal.
China has criticized the presence of BRP Teresa Magbanua in Escoda Shoal in WPS as it claims the area as its own, accusing the Philippines of establishing a permanent outpost. The shoal is about 139 kilometers (75 miles) from Palawan, making it part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
BRP Teresa Magbanua was deployed after the PCG received reports that reclamation works were being carried out in Escoda Shoal following the discovery of dead and crushed corals dumped on the disputed water feature.
“Regardless of whatever comments the Chinese are saying – whether they are [implying] that this is just another Sierra Madre, or this is a way for us to violate anything… I think we don’t have to listen to them,” Tarriela said.
“Again, Teresa Magbanua’s objective is only to advance our national interest and to safeguard our position in Escoda Shoal. So, we don’t pay so much attention to the comments of the Chinese government,” he added.
Manila Standard sought comment from the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, but it has yet to release a statement as of this posting.
China Coast Guard’s massive ship, dubbed as “The Monster,” has been staying just less than 800 yards or some 700 meters from the BRP Teresa Magbanua at Escoda Shoal, according to the PCG.
Based on its tracking using Canada’s Dark Vessel Detection technology, China’s 165-meter ship CCG-5901 arrived at Escoda on July 3 after it loitered for two days near Ayungin Shoal, where the Philippines grounded its warship BRP Sierra Madre that serves as a naval outpost.
Tarriela said Teresa Magbanua has been issuing radio challenges to the monster ship on an hourly basis.
The monster ship, however, has not responded, but insisted on staying there, claiming that it is conducting a maritime law enforcement operation. Escoda Shoal is nearly 900 kilometers away from China’s nearest landmass, Hainan island, making its operations illegal under international law.
China deployed its giant ship on July 1, despite the conduct of the 9th meeting of Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in Manila between the Philippines and China, where Beijing supposedly agreed to de-escalate maritime tensions.
Former US Air Force officer Ray Powell said China’s deployment of its giant ship is meant to project its force, as it seeks to maximize its leverage in the consultations.
“From a Chinese perspective, it helps them to have more force projected and especially something large like the monster ship helps them to say, ‘We have you at a disadvantage so you should have to negotiate more on our terms,'” Powell said.
Powell added that with China’s projection of dominance, it will then insist on concessions in return for stability, noting that Beijing always estimates de-escalation as the responsibility of the other party.
Tarriela also believes CCG’s deployment of the monster ship was meant to intimidate the Philippines.
PCG, on the other hand, aims to submit on Monday a formal report on China’s ‘Monster’ ship to the National Task Force on WPS, which the National Security Council then submits to the Department of Foreign Affairs for proper diplomatic action.
