West Philippine Sea: China cries foul as PCG bolsters presence off Sabina Shoal 

One of the Chinese Navy hovercraft during its military drills in the vicinity waters off Escoda (Sabina) Shoal. SCREENGRAB FROM PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD’S VIDEO CLIP

MANILA, Philippines — Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea saw the presence of three more Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships, a move which was met with suspicion from Beijing, which repeatedly accused Manila of establishing a facility there.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said three 44-meter multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) joined BRP Teresa Magbanua on Monday. The BRP Teresa Magbanua has been deployed in Escoda Shoal since April following suspected reclamation activities in the area.

“It was truly an exceptional occurrence in the West Philippine Sea yesterday, as four PCG vessels were nestled together, creating a remarkable sight,” Tarriela said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.

READ: Chinese ships have left Sabina Shoal in West Philippine Sea – Navy

Tarriela said the three MRRVs with hull numbers 4402, 4404, and 4409, passed off Escoda Shoal after successfully completing their resupply missions at various maritime features in West Philippine Sea before heading back to port.

However, Chinese state tabloid Global Times, citing on-site images, reported that aside from transporting fresh water, fuel, and food, one of PCG’s MRRV also attempted to deliver “suspected” building materials like cement to BRP Teresa Magbanua.

“This series of actions by the Philippines warrants high vigilance,” the Global Times stated in its report on Tuesday, further citing experts who said that the country appears to be building a “maritime base” off the shoal.

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, shrugged off the accusations of the Chinese state tabloid.

READ: China deploys hovercraft during ‘illegal’ drills in West Philippine Sea

“We can do anything that we wish to within our exclusive economic zone,” Trinidad said in a regular press conference on Tuesday.

Trinidad, without confirming or denying such claims, also said “these are actions that the Philippines will pursue if and when necessary.”

“Suffice it to say, we will continue ensuring the integrity of our territory,” he also said.

On June 4, the Chinese Navy conducted amphibious drills in Escoda Shoal, deploying its Type 071 amphibious transport dock that hosted hovercrafts. This hovercraft deployment in the West Philippine Sea is unprecedented, according to Tarriela.

Escoda Shoal also serves as the rendezvous point for Filipino vessels carrying out resupply missions to naval troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre grounded in nearby Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

READ: China ships ram, tow PH vessels at Ayungin

On June 17, China Coast Guard personnel rammed, towed, and even boarded Philippine Navy boats during the resupply mission in the said naval outpost, which the Philippine military said led to what they deem as “looting” and even caused serious injuries to one of its naval personnel.

Beijing asserts sovereignty in almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, even if such a claim has been effectively invalidated by the arbitral award issued in July 2016.

The landmark ruling stemmed from a case filed by Manila in 2013, or a year after its tense standoff with Beijing over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, whose lagoon the latter now has an effective control of.