China vessels spotted anew near Escoda

MANILA, Philippines — Vessels from China, including the world’s largest coast guard ship, were spotted anew near Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported yesterday.

In a statement, the PCG said its patrol ship, the BRP Teresa Magbanua, “monitor(ed) China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel with bow number 5901, one Chinese militia vessel and two Chinese rigid hull inflatable boats” in the vicinity of Escoda (Sabina) Shoal on Aug. 8.

The 165-meter CCG 5901 is China’s – and reportedly the world’s – largest coast guard ship. It is also known as the “monster ship” that had dropped anchor near Escoda Shoal since July. In comparison, the Teresa Magbanua is 97 meters in length, while the PCG’s other patrol vessels are at 44 meters.

The shoal has been guarded by the Teresa Magbanua after marine science researchers from the University of the Philippines found some areas dumped with dead corals, which authorities consider could be an initial step toward reclamation.

Escoda Shoal is around 150 nautical miles from the coast of Palawan and within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines upheld by the 2016 arbitral ruling.

Meanwhile, PCG personnel onboard the Teresa Magbanua, which has been guarding the WPS for almost four months, were served tubs of ice cream, according to photos posted by the agency on its official Facebook page yesterday.

“Philippine Coast Guard Commandant, CG Admiral Ronnie Gil L Gavan, has treated BRP Teresa Magbanua’s crew with a sweet and cold dessert during their ongoing patrol operations at Sabina Shoal since 15 April 2024,” the Facebook post read.

The PCG’s patrol vessels were sending supplies to Teresa Magbanua and other units in the WPS from the Buliluyan Port in Palawan, the agency noted.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) proudly announced yesterday the successful completion of the two-day combined naval and air force exercises held in the WPS with the military forces of Australia, Canada and the United States.

Held from Aug. 7 to 8, the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) in the Western Command area of responsibility inside the country’s EEZ, concluded on