China’s latest WPS aggression may be due paranoia over Escoda reinforcement—PCG

Images released by the Philippine Coast Guard, through the X account of its spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela, show the extent of damage sustained by its ships after these were rammed by China Coast Guard vessels early Monday near Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
MANILA, Philippines — China Coast Guard’s (CCG) latest aggression in the West Philippine Sea may be due to Beijing’s suspicions that the Philippines will put up reinforcements in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said this as BRP Teresa Magbanua has been deployed in Escoda Shoal for 126 days.
The biggest PCG vessel was sent to the area on April 16, becoming the longest-deployed asset in the West Philippine Sea in response to suspected reclamation activities around the shoal.
“Issue na talaga nila ang Escoda Shoal dahil sinasabi nila, ayaw talaga nila ang Teresa Magbanua, 126 days na [doon] ngayong araw, ibig sabihin matagal na, at noong mga nakaraang buwan, ilang beses na nila sinabi yan, paalisin natin,” Tarriela said in a radio dwPM interview.
(They have an issue in Escoda Shoal because they said they don’t like the BRP Teresa Magbanua there, which is now deployed for 126 days in the area as of today, meaning it’s been there for too long, and in previous months, they told us repeatedly to remove it.)
Article continues after this advertisement“They also had their suspicion noong mga nakaraang linggo na ire-reinforce daw natin ang Magbanua, magiging forward deployment base na natin, magdedeploy daw tayo ng mas maraming barko. They have this paranoia na ganyan siguro ang mangyayari sa utak nila kahapon.”
(They also had their suspicion last week that we will reinforce Magbanua to become a forward deployment base, and that we will deploy more ships. They have this paranoia in their mind yesterday that it might happen.)
Tarriela previously called the claims of a forward deployment base in Escoda Shoal “unfounded.”
On Monday, PCG said its vessels BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410) and BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411) encountered what they call “unlawful and aggressive maneuvers” from CCG vessels in Escoda Shoal, which damaged both vessels.
“Ang 4410 at 4411 ay dumaan doon kahapon, wherein hindi ‘yun ang final destination nila (Escoda Shoal), papunta nga sila ng Lawak at Patag island to do the resupply,” Tarriela pointed out.
(The 4410 and 4411 only passed by Escoda Shoal, which is not its final destination, they were going to Lawak and Patag Island to do resupply)
“It’s worth noting na after they realize na hindi naman ‘yun talaga ang tumbok natin (Escoda Shoal), eventually bumitaw din naman sila, eh,” he added.
(It’s worth noting that after they realized that we were not headed for Escoda Shoal, they eventually backed down.)
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