MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ National Maritime Council (NMC) said Saturday, August 31, that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship that was rammed by the China Coast Guard (CCG) in Escoda Shoal will “remain and maintain its operations in the West Philippine Sea” despite the damage it incurred.
“The Philippines will continue its sovereign operations in its maritime zones. The BRP Teresa Magbanua will remain and maintain its operations in the West Philippine Sea. We will not succumb to acts of harassment and aggressive behavior,” said the NMC, a newly-created body that oversees all of the country’s maritime zones.
The council, headed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, is composed of the Philippines’ defense, security, and foreign affairs secretaries, among others.
China has long protested the Magbanua’s months-long deployment. Earlier on Saturday, China said the PCG ship was “illegally stranded on the shoal” and demanded that the Philippines withdraw the ship from Escoda Shoal immediately.
On August 31, CCG vessel 5205 rammed the PCG’s BRP Teresa Magbanua thrice.
The 97-meter PCG ship, among its newest and most modern, has been on an “extended patrol” in Escoda or Sabina Shoal, a feature just 75 nautical miles away from the Philippines, since April 2024.
The ship was initially deployed to Escoda Shoal over concerns that China was trying to reclaim the feature.
“As directed by the President, the Philippines will fully utilize and continue to pursue diplomatic channels and mechanisms under the rules-based international order and pursue the peaceful resolution of disputes,” said the NMC.
Escoda Shoal has swiftly turned into another flashpoint for tensions in the West Philippine Sea, or part of the South China Sea that includes the Philippines’ 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone.
“China’s latest actions are uncalled for as the Philippine vessel was engaged in a peaceful and lawful patrol within its own maritime jurisdiction. The Philippines condemns this unprovoked aggression and remains steadfast in upholding its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea,” the NMC said of the latest incident.
In August alone, at least three incidents between the Philippines and China took place in or close to Escoda Shoal, as Philippine vessels either passed waters adjacent to the shoal or tried to head to Escoda Shoal itself.
On August 26, a mission to bring supplies to the Teresa Magbanua via two smaller PCG ships was blocked by over 40 Chinese vessels. The PCG eventually brought supplies to the ship via helicopter.
Indo-Pacific Command chief Admiral Samuel Paparo, during a visit to Manila, said Philippine treaty-ally United States was open to escorting Philippine missions to the West Philippine Sea.
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Romeo Brawner, Jr. has said that the Philippines will only ask for US help if resupply missions are impossible to complete to the point that Filipino personnel are on the “verge of dying.” – Rappler.com