MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard vessels that are supposed to deliver food and supplies have been unable to reach the BRP Teresa Magbanua after 40 ships surrounded the BRP Cabra and BRP Cape Engaño, the National Task Force for West Philippine Sea said late Monday night.
In a statement, West Philippine Sea spokesperson Jay Tarriela said that the PCG sent the BRP Cabra and BRP Cape Engaño on a mission to deliver essential food and supplies to our team on the BRP Teresa Magbanua, which is on an extended patrol at Escoda Shoal but China deployed several Chinese-flagged ships in the area.
During this mission, the People’s Republic of China deployed a substantial force of 40 vessels, including six Chinese Coast Guard ships and three People’s Liberation Army Navy warships, to obstruct our lawful humanitarian operation. Additionally, 31 Chinese Maritime Militia vessels were present in the waters around Escoda Shoal, he said.
“Such actions resulted in our two 44-meter Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRV) being unable to safely deliver essential supplies, including a special ice cream treat from the Commandant in honor of National Heroes’ Day,” Tarriela said.
Following the deployment of 40 Chinese-flagged vessels, the Philippines has called out China and told it to stop deploying maritime forces in the area as it could damage the relationship between the two coast guards.
“We urge the China Coast Guard to abide by the international law and stop deploying maritime forces that could undermine mutual respect, a universally recognized foundation for responsible and friendly relations among Coast Guards,” Tarriela said.
The Philippine government, particularly the Department of Foreign Affairs, has yet to release a statement regarding the recent violent maritime incidents but the foreign affairs bureau already said that it lodged another diplomatic protest against Beijing for the firing of flares incident in Scarborough Shoal earlier this month.
Before the attack, lawmakers had already raised the alarm over the increasingly aggressive actions by China in the West Philippine Sea after it rammed a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel transporting supplies in Escoda Shoal.
The BFAR ship was resupplying fishermen at Hasa-Hasa Shoal when it was rammed by a CCG ship.
The shoal is approximately 60 nautical miles from Rizal, Palawan, and at Escoda Shoal, around 110 nautical miles away from Rizal town.
The shoals are over 1,000 miles from China.
