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This is a duel between 40 Chinese ships and 2 PCG ships while delivering supplies to BRP Teresa Magbanua on August 26
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday, August 26, Philippine National Heroes Day, urged the Chinese Coast Guard to abide by international law and “cease deployment of maritime forces that could undermine mutual respect” after the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) “deployed excessive force” to stop the BRP Teresa Magbanua’s replenishment mission in the Philippines. Escoda (Sabina) Shoal.
The patrol vessel Theresa Magbanua, one of two 97-meter-long vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard, has been on “extended patrol” in the Escoda Shoal since April 2024. Since the ship has not made landfall for more than 5 months, it relies on resupply missions from small Philippine Coast Guard vessels to deliver basic supplies such as food to its personnel.
The Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement late Monday that China deployed 40 vessels, including six Chinese Coast Guard vessels and three People’s Liberation Army Navy warships, “in an attempt to obstruct our legitimate humanitarian operations.” Thirty-one Chinese maritime militia vessels were also near the shoal during the Aug. 26 operation.
“Such actions prevented our two 44-meter-long Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs) from safely delivering essential supplies, including the Commanding Officer’s special ice cream in celebration of National Heroes Day,” the Philippine Coast Guard said.
On August 26, the Philippine Coast Guard deployed the BRP Cabra and BRP Cape Engaño to carry out a “humanitarian operation” to deliver supplies to the BRP Teresa Magbanua. The Philippine Coast Guard announced the mission through a Notice to All Mariners early Monday.
“The Philippine Coast Guard remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding our national interests and ensuring the security of our waters,” the Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement. “We urge the Chinese Coast Guard to abide by international law and cease deployments of maritime forces that could undermine mutual respect, which is the recognized foundation of responsible and friendly relations between coast guards.”
“The Philippine Coast Guard recognizes that white vessels are a unique diplomatic tool to promote peace and maintain harmony and stability in the region,” the Philippine Coast Guard added.
The day before, a vessel from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Hit and hit by water cannon Chinese Coast Guard ships were patrolling about 10 nautical miles from Escoda Shoal.
The shoal is located on a low-tide elevation about 75 nautical miles from Palawan Island and has rapidly become New flashpoints of tension The West Philippine Sea is located between the Philippines and China.
China protested the Magbanuya’s “expanded patrol range” and suspected that the Philippines wanted to use it as a temporary outpost, just as it had deployed the Sierra Madre at nearby Ayunkin Reef. Ironically, the Teresa Magbanuya was originally deployed to Escoda Island out of concern that China was working to reclaim the island, as it has done with parts of the islands and reefs in the West Philippine Sea or the South China Sea, which includes the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
The interception of the Philippine Coast Guard vessel on August 26 was just the latest in a series of incidents between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea over the past week. Philippine Coast Guard vessel rammed by Chinese Coast Guard vessel The planes were passing over Escoda Island en route to the islands of Lawak and Patag in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippines also reported that China used flares to strike air patrols over Scarborough Shoal, which Beijing has since turned into an artificial island outpost, and Subi Reef.
Barely a month ago, Manila and Beijing reached a “temporary agreement” to ease tensions during the resupply mission of the USS Sierra Madre at Ayungin Reef. However, tensions in the West Philippine Sea continue to escalate. – Rappler.com
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