THE presence of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Escoda Shoal has sent a strong message that the Philippines is not “helpless” against the illegal activities of China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the suspected reclamation in Escoda Shoal has already been deterredndue to the presence of the PCG in the area since April 15.
“Magmula po ng ma-monitor natin na may ganitong activities na nangyayari sa shoal na yan, foremost ang coast guard po ang nandiyan, constantly na po silang nagpapatrolya diyan ngayon,” Padilla said.
“Their presence there is constant, tuloy-tuloy na po sila, for 26 days na po,” Padilla added.
Earlier, PCG spokesman for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said the PCG effectively stopped the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) from their illegal activities on Escoda Shoal.
“The mere fact that the Philippine Coast Guard has prevented [the] Chinese government in continuing their island reclamation in Sabina Shoal (Escoda Shoal) means we remain to be effective. The state has the sovereign rights over these waters,” Tarriela said.
“Natigil sila, basically dahil simula noong nandiyan tayo for 26 days wala naman na silang nagawang pagda-dump kung hindi nagdi-deploy na lang sila ng mga divers doing the measurement and all. Wala naman tayong nakita dito na actual na dina-dump na nila,” he added.
“Our mere presence has already deterred China in doing such illegal action,” he said.
Tarriela said that they have deployed its BRP Teresa Magbanua, which is now on its 26th day on Escoda Shoal to ensure that China will not be able to resume its illegal activities in Philippine waters.
He said the PCG is hoping “to flex more muscles” in preventing the deployment of Chinese research vessels, Chinese maritime militia boats and CCG ships on Philippine waters with the expected arrival of a 97-meter vessel from Japan. (GP)
