The Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) BRP Teresa Magbanua reportedly left its station in Escoda Shoal after five months in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), according to reports.
SeaLight—a website that covers maritime gray zones—said PCG officials are set to welcome the vessel in Palawan. It reported that BRP Teresa Magbanua is on its way to Puerto Princesa, but has turned off its AIS (automatic identification system) broadcasts late Saturday night.
Cutter BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) withdrew from the disputed area on Friday and sailed in the Sulu Sea, according to AIS data posted on social media.
The BRP Teresa Magbanua was stationed in Escoda Shoal since April 15 following reports of Chinese reclamation activities
Escoda Shoal is about 140 kilometers off Palawan. China recently protested the presence of Teresa Magbanua in the area, which it refers to as Xianbin Reef.
The PCG said in May that crushed corals were dumped near Sabina Shoal—the international name for Escoda—similar to those observed in Sandy Cay, which Filipino marine biologists said may be due to island-building activities in the WPS.
The PCG suspects that crushed corals dumped near Escoda Shoal are part of China’s efforts to reclaim land for construction, closer to Palawan than Ayungin Shoal. The Philippine Navy deployed a warship to in response to these illegal activities.
The PCG criticized China’s People’s Liberation Army for conducting military exercises and reported that Chinese vessels, including the large CCG 5901, were shadowing and intimidating the Philippine ship BRP Teresa Magbanua.
There are no official statements yet from the PCG and other relevant government agencies regarding this development as of this posting.
