Push Admin

China may be trying to drive BRP Teresa Magbanua out of Escoda Shoal —  analyst

Article (news)

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1725177146754448256252_895688149273109_2442115662186348941_n.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">In this Philippine Coast Guard handout photo, the officers and crew of BRP Teresa Magbanua hoist the Philippine flag to mark Philippine Independence Day on June 12, 2024.</span></span></span>MANILA — The possibility that China is trying to push the BRP Teresa Magbanua out of Escoda Shoal (Sabina Shoal) “cannot be discounted,” a security analyst said Sunday, as Chinese vessels continue to swarm the Philippine Coast Guard (PGC) ship that has been damaged by ramming..</div><p>As of Sunday morning, the Philippines&#x27; lone vessel in the area was still surrounded by a number of Chinese maritime militia ships, said Ray Powell, director of maritime transparency initiative SeaLight.</p><p>The Philippine ship remains anchored off Escoda Shoal despite sustaining damage from being rammed multiple times by China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel, with bow number 5205.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/8/31/watch-chinese-ship-rams-brp-teresa-magbanua-3-times-1657"><strong></strong>WATCH: Chinese ship rams BRP Teresa Magbanua 3 times<br/></a></div><p>Photo released by the PCG showed that at least two CCG vessels and two People’s Liberation Army Navy tugboats were also spotted near the BRP Teresa Magbanua, raising the possibility that China will attempt to tow the Philippine ship away.</p><p>“This is the first documented sighting of these vessels at Sabina Shoal to my knowledge, and it&#x27;s hard to imagine what their purpose might be,” Powell, a former United States Air Force officer, told ABS-CBN News of the tugboats.</p><p>“The idea that they may have been sent there to push the BRP Teresa Magbanua out of the shoal can&#x27;t be discounted,” he added.</p><p>Powell said China’s large coast guard vessels could disable the Philippines’ 97-meter multi-role response ship, while the tugs could then push or tow the ship out of the shoal.</p><p>The Magbanua was sent to Escoda Shoal in response to reports that China may be attempting reclamation work in the area as well as massive coral damage in the area.</p><p>Environmental protection as well as the enforcement of maritime laws are part of the PCG&#x27;s mandate.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/7/nearly-100-of-corals-at-escoda-shoal-dead-or-dying-up-scientists-find-1842">‘Ecological disaster’: Nearly 100% of corals at Escoda Shoal dead or dying, UP scientists find</a></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">Maritime law expert Prof. Jay Batongbacal, director of the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, said China’s hostility is likely to persist.</p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal"><br/></div><p>“Ang intensyon ng China ay sakupin ang buong South China Sea, kasama ang West Philippine Sea. Para masakop nila ‘yan, kailangan mapakita nila na constant ‘yong kanilang presence and patrol lalo na ang kanilang mga armed forces and law enforcement. Kaya talagang itutuloy nila ‘yan. Pupunuin nila ‘yan hanggang sa sumuko ang Pilipinas,” he said.</p><p>(China’s intention is to claim the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. To achieve this, they need to maintain a constant presence and patrol, particularly with their armed forces and law enforcement. Therefore, they will continue their hostility. They will fill the South China Sea until the Philippines surrenders.)</p><p>China has been challenging Manila’s presence in Escoda Shoal and calling for the immediate withdrawal of the ship, which has been deployed since April due to suspected Chinese reclamation attempts.</p><p>China views the BRP Teresa Magbanua as either a semi-grounded ship or a possible forward deployment base.</p><p>PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said the Philippines will not be pushed back from its own waters.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/8/27/pcg-says-it-will-not-pull-out-brp-teresa-magbanua-from-escoda-shoal-1706"><strong></strong>READ: PCG says it will not pull out BRP Teresa Magbanua from Escoda Shoal<br/></a></div><p>Escoda Shoal is just over 70 nautical miles from mainland Palawan and deep within the country’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.</p><p>“Despite of the harassment, bullying activities, and escalatory action of the Chinese Coast Guard, the Philippine Coast Guard vessel Teresa Magbanua or any other replacement of the vessel, there will be no reason for us to withdraw our coast guard vessels there,” he said.</p><p>National Maritime Council spokesperson Undersecretary Alexander Lopez said there is still no need to request for military assistance over China’s hostile actions against Philippine civilian vessels.</p><p>“This is purely a coast guard activity,” he said.</p><p>“The navy is not part of this activity.”</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/USVZVPGOlh8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Threats of China pushing the BRP Teresa Magbanua out of Escoda Shoal (Sabina Shoal) 'cannot be discounted,' a security analyst said Sunday.</p>

Threats of China pushing the BRP Teresa Magbanua out of Escoda Shoal (Sabina Shoal) 'cannot be discounted,' a security analyst said Sunday.

China may be trying to drive BRP Teresa Magbanua out of Escoda Shoal — analyst

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

News

China may be trying to drive BRP Teresa Magbanua out of Escoda Shoal — analyst

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 01, 2024 03:53 PM PHT

Read More:

territorial dispute

West Philippine Sea

Escoda Shoal

Sabina Shoal

China

Philippine Coast Guard

BRP Teresa Magbanua

China Coast Guard

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.