National Security Adviser Eduardo Año announced on Friday that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has deployed a new ship to Escoda Shoal to replace the BRP Teresa Magbanua, which was pulled out after five months stationed in the disputed area. However, due to bad weather, the replacement ship had to temporarily take shelter.
Año assured that the operation would continue once conditions improve, emphasizing that the PCG has a strategy for protecting the West Philippine Sea.
The BRP Teresa Magbanua was withdrawn from Escoda Shoal because of seaworthiness concerns, a lack of supplies for the crew, and worsening weather conditions. The vessel had been at the shoal since April amidst reports of Chinese reclamation activities in the area.
Escoda Shoal, also known as Sabina Shoal, lies within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). China had called for the removal of the BRP Teresa Magbanua, claiming it violated Chinese sovereignty. However, Año dismissed the need for any agreements with China over the shoal, stressing the importance of halting any reclamation activities and maintaining Philippine access to the area.
Tensions persist in the South China Sea, where multiple nations, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia, have overlapping territorial claims with China. In 2016, an international tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines, rejecting China’s broad claims, though China has not accepted the ruling.