Manila — The China Coast Guard (CCG) used a group of 40 ships to obstruct a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) resupply mission in the Escoda Shoal, West Philippine Sea, escalating tensions in the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, the two PCG vessels, BRP Cabra and BRP Cape Engaño, were tasked with a humanitarian mission to deliver essential supplies, including food and a special ice cream treat for National Heroes’ Day, to BRP Teresa Magbanua, stationed on extended patrol in the area. The Chinese deployment included six CCG vessels, three People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships, and 31 maritime militia vessels, effectively preventing the Philippine vessels from completing their mission.
Tarriela condemned the excessive show of force and called for adherence to international law, emphasizing the need for responsible and friendly relations among nations’ coast guards. “The PCG remains steadfast in our commitment to uphold national interests and ensure the safety and security of our waters,” he stated, underscoring the challenges faced by the PCG in executing its duties in contested waters.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., speaking at the 35th International Military Law and Operations Conference (MILOPS 24) at The Manila Hotel, labeled China as the “biggest disruptor of international peace” in the ASEAN region. Teodoro criticized China’s efforts to undermine ASEAN unity and stressed the importance of ASEAN nations working collaboratively to protect sovereign rights and manage disputes internally, without external interference.
Teodoro also accused China of aspiring to lead a new world order, questioning the trust and credibility of such leadership given China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, which lack legal and historical basis. He called for ASEAN solidarity in the face of these challenges, highlighting the strategic need for a united regional approach to security and diplomacy.