China blocks Phl resupply mission to Escoda Shoal

China Coast Guard (CCG) and naval ships blocked two Philippine vessels near Escoda Shoal that were on their way to deliver supplies to BRP Teresa Magbanua, stationed in the area since April to stave off reclamation attempts by the Chinese.

- PIA LEE-BRAGO and GHIO ONG

The Chinese embassy released a report from Chinese state media Xinhua stating that the “CCG has taken lawful measures” against the Philippine vessels for “intruding” into Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, which China calls Xianbin Jiao.

Prevented from reaching Teresa Magbanua were BRP Cape Engaño and BRP Cabra.

Former Senate president Juan Miguel Zubiri called China’s action “treachery, plain and simple.”

“China has been repeatedly displaying its rudeness. It has once again reneged on its word to refrain from launching attacks such as what happened yesterday to the Datu Sanday vessel of the BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources),” Zubiri said.

Last Sunday, the BRP Datu Sanday of BFAR was rammed by two CCG vessels and blasted with “jet stream” water by two other CCG ships, while being blocked by a Chinese maritime militia vessel near Escoda Shoal.

Despite sustaining damage after being rammed by CCG ships last week near Lawak and Patag Islands, the Cape Engaño was still included in the mission to resupply Teresa Magbanua.

“What’s even more infuriating is that China doesn’t seem to consider anything. It was not the Navy or Coast Guard that they attacked, but BFAR, which was only on a humanitarian mission to deliver help to our fishermen. This is in total disregard of international maritime laws,” Zubiri said.

“With China’s new attack on our patrol in our own territory, how can we trust them with future agreements if they continue breaking what had been formally agreed upon?”

He said the Chinese can’t even show “simple decency.”

“We condemn this latest act of aggression displayed by China and protest their actions on Philippine territory. We ask the national government to continue fighting for our sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea and uphold our territorial integrity and our right to our exclusive economic zone,” he added.