A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel is currently patrolling the waters around Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the National Security Council’s (NSC) spokesperson confirmed on Thursday.
“Our coast guard vessel is keeping watch to make sure there are no new reclamations, and no illegal activities are taking place at Escoda Shoal,” NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said in a radio interview.
He made this assurance amid apparent disinformation that the Philippines has abandoned these shallow waters, known internationally as Sabina Shoal, amid China’s incessant maritime bullying tactics.
“Definitely I can say that we did not hand it over to China… we just had a repositioning [with the departure of BRP Teresa Magbanua]. We need to maintain our presence there, so we now have a replacement for Magbanua,” he said in Filipino on DZBB.
Malaya said the government would not provide specific details on the replacement vessel for operational security reasons and to avoid telegraphing its movements to Beijing.
Meanwhile, the Philippines’ military leadership is calling for a viable missile defense capability to fully protect the country under the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC).
AFP Chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. pointed out that while the United States has its Typhon Missile System prepositioned in the country, the Philippines must consider acquiring its own missile systems.
“Not only the Typhon but also [we should consider] other missile systems because we need comprehensive air defense and maritime defense systems,” he said in a mixture of Filipino and English.
This was Brawner’s reply when asked whether the AFP plans to acquire versions of the US-made Medium Range Capability Typhon Missile System as part of its modernization program.
The US Typhon missiles were originally brought to the country as part of the Salaknib 2024 exercises in April, but Manila and Washington recently agreed that it would be best if they remain in the Philippines for a more extended period.
Their withdrawal or continued stay will, however, depend on the PH-US Mutual Defense Board, it was explained.
The Typhon Missile System can destroy land or sea-based targets up to 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) away.
Beijing has demanded the removal of the American missile system from Philippine soil, calling it provocative.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi accused the US of “provoking an arms race in the South China Sea.”
However, a Filipino senator said the US missiles should stay, describing them as a “defensive weapon system.”
“As long as they do not stop the provocative nature, provocative actions that they are doing in the West Philippine Sea, I am in favor of retaining defensive missile systems in the Philippines as a deterrent for any future provocative action,” Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said at the Kapihan sa Senado.
The lawmaker denied that the Philippine government has taken a bellicose stance in the WPS.
“They [Chinese] are provoking us every day. They are the ones doing the provoking.” Zubiri said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Coast Guard vessel now patroling Escoda Shoal, NSC says”
