Chinese ships block PH Coast Guard resupply mission at Escoda Shoal

On Monday, August 26, Chinese Coast Guard ships and People's Liberation Army Navy warships blocked two Philippine Coast Guard vessels—BRP Cabra and BRP Cape Engaño—during a resupply mission for the BRP Teresa Magbanua in Escoda Shoal.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that 40 Chinese maritime vessels, including six CCG ships and three PLAN warships, surrounded the two Philippine vessels as they attempted to deliver essential supplies to around 60 PCG personnel stationed at Sabina Shoal.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, a PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, reiterated that China has been protesting the BRP Teresa Magbanua's presence since April and highlighted that the supplies aboard the vessel are now critical after being blocked from resupplying.

Tarriela noted that among the six China Coast Guard vessels that appeared on Monday were two vessels responsible for ramming PCG vessels previously, emphasizing that China’s excessive deployment of maritime forces is a violation of UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

Despite Chinese claims that BRP Teresa Magbanua's presence infringes on their sovereignty, Tarriela asserted that Escoda Shoal is clearly within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone and crucial for guarding against illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea.