MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday, August 26, National Heroes’ Day in the Philippines, urged their Chinese counterparts to follow international law and “stop deploying maritime forces that could undermine mutual respect” after the China Coast Guard (CCG) “deployed excessive force” to stop a resupply mission to the BRP Teresa Magbanua in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal.

The BRP Teresa Magbanua, one of the PCG’s two 97-meter ships, has been on an “extended patrol” in Escoda Shoal since April 2024. Since it has not docked on land in over five months, it relies on resupply missions from smaller PCG vessels to bring essential supplies, including food, for its personnel. 

In a statement released late Monday evening, the PCG said China deployed 40 ships, including six China Coast Guard vessels and three People’s Liberation Army Navy warships “in an attempt to obstruct our lawful humanitarian operation.” Thirty-one Chinese Maritime Militia ships were also in the vicinity of the shoal during the August 26 mission. 

“Such actions resulted in our two 44-meter Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRV) being unable to safely deliver essential supplies, including a special ice cream treat from the Commandant in honor of National Heroes’ Day,” the PCG said. 

The PCG deployed on August 26 the BRP Cabra and BRP Cape Engaño for a “humanitarian operation” to bring supplies to the BRP Teresa Magbanua. The PCG had announced the mission early Monday through a Notice to All Mariners. 

“The PCG remains steadfast in our commitment to uphold national interests and ensure the safety and security of our waters. We urge the China Coast Guard to abide with the international law and stop deploying maritime forces that could undermine mutual respect, a universally recognized foundation for responsible and friendly relations among Coast Guards,” said the PCG in the statement. 

“The PCG recognizes that white hulls are unique instruments of diplomacy that promotes peace and maintain harmony and stability in the region,” the PCG added. 

The day prior, a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel was rammed and subject to water cannons by CCG ships some 10 nautical miles away from Escoda Shoal. 

The shoal, a low tide elevation located some 75 nautical miles away from Palawan, has rapidly turned into a new flashpoint for tensions between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea. 

China has protested the Magbanua’s “extended patrol” of Escoda Shoal, and suspects the Philippines of wanting to establish it as a makeshift outpost like it did the BRP Sierra Madre in nearby Ayungin Shoal. Ironically, the BRP Teresa Magbanua was first deployed to Escoda over concerns that China was working to reclaim the feature, much like it did other features in the West Philippine Sea, or parts of the South China Sea that includes the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.  

The blocking of PCG ships on August 26 is only the latest in a string of incidents between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea in the past week. On August 19, two PCG vessels were rammed by CCG vessels as they passed Escoda en route to Lawak and Patag islands in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippines has also reported China’s use of flares against aerial patrols over Scarborough Shoal and Subi Reef, a feature that Beijing has since turned into an artificial island outpost. 

Rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea come barely a month after the Manila and Beijing agreed to a “provisional agreement” to ease tensions during resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. – Rappler.com