Marcos order covers new PCG vessel in Escoda, naval and air patrols
President Marcos ordered government forces to maintain a strategic presence in the disputed West Philippine Sea, particularly in the Escoda Shoal, an official of the National Maritime Council (NMC) said.
“When we talk about presence, it’s a strategic presence, not just a physical one,” NMC spokesperson Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez said.
“I want to be clear that presence doesn’t simply mean sending one vessel. As I’ve mentioned earlier, the area we’re discussing is vast,” he added.
Mr. Marcos gave the directive after BRP Teresa Magbanua, the country’s lone sentinel at Escoda Shoal, departed on Sunday after completing its five-month mission.
“The idea that pulling out the Magbanua means we’ve given up is wrong. Our presence remains intact through other means,” Lopez said.
Navy spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said maritime and air patrols will continue under the country’s Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept.
“The maritime patrols of the Navy ships and air surveillance flights of the Air Force and Navy aircraft will continue. These never stop and were even increased when we implemented the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept,” Trinidad said.
“Since the beginning, we are focused on protecting our features in the WPS. We are determined to see that these stays in our possession. These will not be taken from us and we assure the public that we will continue our close monitoring of Escoda Shoal and the rest of the WPS,” he added.
The Philippine Coast Guard said it will deploy “other vessels” to Escoda, directly rejecting China’s narrative that BRP’s Magbanua’s return to port was a “retreat” on the part of Manila.
“There are other Coast Guard vessels that we intend to deploy to Escoda Shoal. That’s the plan of the national government,” PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said.
“We have not lost anything…There will be a Coast Guard presence at Escoda Shoal,” he said.
Escoda is located 75 nautical miles or about 140 kilometers off Palawan and is within the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and about 1,200 kilometers from Hainan island, the closest Chinese landmass.
For his part, former Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said the Philippines has all the right to deploy a new PCG vessel to Escoda Shoal.
“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 the Philippine EEZ. The Philippines also has the exclusive right to erect a structure on Escoda Shoal,” he told Manila Standard.
Carpio said such an action cannot be deemed as escalatory by China.
“China has no such rights. In exercising its rights in its EEZ, the Philippines cannot be considered as provoking China or any other country,” Carpio said.
Matteo Piasentini, Senior Lecturer at the University of the Philippines-Diliman Department of Political Science, added: “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.”
Senate Defense committee chairperson Jinggoy Estrada said the PCG should be allocated the necessary budgetary resources following the pullout of BRP Magbanua.
“We must address the logistical requirements of the PCG to fully support their mission and assist in upholding our nation’s territorial integrity. We can uphold the PCG’s role as a formidable force in defending our maritime territories and protecting our national interests,” Estrada said.
A House leader likewise appealed to the Senate to support the enactment of a bill that will modernize the PCG, calling it a “vital measure” amid threats in the country’s maritime territories, particularly in the WPS.
Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo made the appeal after the House of Representatives approved on second reading the House Bill 10841 that seeks to improve the PCG’s organizational and operational frameworks, making it more responsive to maritime security concerns.
The bill seeks to provide the PCG with P5 billion in annual appropriations while also allowing it to receive loans and grants from local or foreign sources to boost modernization efforts.
“At a time when our nation faces increasing challenges in safeguarding our maritime territory, this bill ensures that the PCG is equipped with the tools and resources to fulfill its mandate effectively,” Tulfo said.
“The importance of maritime security cannot be overstated. Everyone knows fully well how much our fisherfolk and PCG personnel have suffered over the past few months because of the harassment and aggressive maneuvers of the Chinese Coast Guard in our very waters,” he added.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Marcos orders strategic presence in Escoda Shoal, West Philippine Sea.”
