Chinese Vessels Spotted off Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea
Recent reports have indicated that a number of Chinese vessels have been sighted off Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, a feature located in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) that falls under the jurisdiction of Pag-asa Village in the Kalayaan Town in Palawan. The presence of these vessels has raised concerns about China’s activities in the region.
Monitoring by Sealight
According to monitoring conducted by Sealight, a US-based maritime transparency project that tracks and reports on activities in the South China Sea, the Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) ships have been observed off Escoda Shoal since April 27. These ships, also known as Spratly Backbone Fishing Vessels, have been “rafted” in groups at the shoal, which serves as a rendezvous point for Philippine vessels conducting rotation and resupply missions to Filipino troops stationed on board BRP Sierra Madre in nearby Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
Sealight director and retired US Air Force Col. Ray Powell has noted that the CMM ships are a segment of the militia recruited from China’s commercial fishing vessels. These vessels are required to spend only 280 days of the year in disputed waters to earn their subsidies. As a result, they often take extended winter vacations. Sealight previously documented around 12 to 14 Chinese militia ships scattered around Escoda Shoal in November 2023 and another dozen in February of this year.
Philippine Coast Guard Presence
In addition to the Chinese vessels, the Philippine Coast Guard patrol ship BRP Teresa Magbanua has also been monitored in the area since April. It has been closely watched by China Coast Guard (CCG) 3303, which was deployed from Panganiban (Mischief) Reef at around the same time as other CCG and CMM ships in the area. CCG 3303 has taken a “blockade position” east of Ayungin.
Response from Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo
In response to the increasing Chinese aggression in the WPS, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo has denounced disinformation campaigns that seek to distort the truth and sow discord among nations and Filipinos. He emphasized that the Philippines should not allow itself to be painted as the aggressor or violator in the situation.
Manalo dismissed claims that the Philippines is merely a pawn in the WPS and that the territorial dispute is solely a matter among great powers. He asserted that the country is not just a bystander and will always protect its territorial interests in the WPS. He urged Filipinos to act cohesively and protect the country’s interests.
Manalo also highlighted the need to expose the illegality of the nine-dash line, which is being used to threaten the livelihoods of Filipino fishers and facilitate reclamation activities that degrade the environment. He emphasized that the WPS is shared by many coastal states and that the narrative surrounding it has been obscured by misinformation and manipulation for far too long.
In conclusion, the presence of Chinese vessels off Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea has raised concerns about China’s activities in the region. The monitoring by Sealight and the presence of the Philippine Coast Guard patrol ship BRP Teresa Magbanua indicate a tense situation in the area. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo has emphasized the need to protect the country’s territorial interests and expose the illegality of the nine-dash line. It is crucial for Filipinos to act cohesively and ensure the protection of their rights and resources in the West Philippine Sea.
Source: The Manila Times
