China files diplomatic protest vs. PH over PCG ship in Escoda Shoal

Metro Manila, Philippines — China has filed a diplomatic protest against the “illegal anchoring” of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua in Escoda Shoal.

In remarks posted on China’s foreign affairs ministry website on Friday, Aug. 16, Beijing told a news briefing that the 97-meter Teresa Magbanua “entered the lagoon of the Xianbin Jiao without permission and has been there for a long time, which seriously infringes on China’s sovereignty.”

The PCG ship has been stationed in Escoda Shoal since April as the Philippines suspects China of conducting reclamation activities in the area.

China claimed this “violates the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and threatens the peace and stability in the South China Sea.”

“China has protested to the Philippines through diplomatic channels and asked the Philippines to stop its infringement activities and withdraw the vessel at once,” the post read. “China is closely monitoring the developments and will take resolute measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and uphold the sanctity of the DOC.”

Escoda Shoal, internationally known as Sabina Shoal, is located 75 nautical miles or about 140 kilometers off Palawan, which is within Manila’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

There was no immediate comment from Malacañang or the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Also on Friday, PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela said China has “unfounded fears” on the Philippines possibly “establishing a forward deployment base in Escoda Shoal.” He called China’s claim “absurd.”

It was in response to Chinese state media Global Times, which reported that a second PCG vessel will be anchored in Escoda Shoal.

“The People’s Republic of China continues to voice complaints about the Philippines’ legal actions and UNCLOS-backed deployments of PCG vessels in Escoda Shoal,” Tarriela said.

“Their suspicions about the Philippines engaging in such actions stem from their own pattern of unlawfully occupying maritime areas in the South China Sea, followed by illegal reclamation and provocative militarization of those features,” he said.

Beijing has rejected the 2016 Arbitral Award that invalidated its sweeping claims over the South China Sea.