A resupply mission to the Philippine Coast Guard’s flagship stationed at a contested South China Sea feature was blocked by 40 Chinese vessels in the latest incident around Escoda Shoal, according to Manila.
Two Philippine Coast Guard 44-meter-long patrol boats, BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) and BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411), approached Escoda to resupply agency flagship BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) on Monday morning. The vessels carried food, supplies, a contingent of journalists and a “special ice cream treat” from Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan for Teresa Magbanua’s crew to celebrate National Heroes’ Day. Stationed at Escoda since April, the Japanese-made multi-mission response vessel has been in a months-long standoff against ships from the China Coast Guard, People’s Liberation Army Navy and China Maritime Militia.
Large Chinese warships, such as a Type 075 flattop and Type 071 amphib, have also been spotted operating at Escoda in June.
Manila previously cited concerns about Chinese land reclamation, akin to projects conducted at Mischief and Subi Reefs that resulted in military bases, for the flagship’s “extended patrol” to the disputed feature.
Statement of the Philippine Coast Guard
“CCG ILLEGALLY BLOCKS PCG HUMANITARIAN MISSION”
Today, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) undertook a humanitarian mission involving the BRP Cabra and BRP Cape Engaño, aimed at delivering vital food and supplies to our personnel stationed… pic.twitter.com/KIZ6j4gP6t
— Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) August 26, 2024
The blockade consisted of three warships, six cutters and 31 maritime militia vessels, according to a release on the encounter by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea. Video released by the Philippines depicts Cabra and Cape Engaño surrounded and outmaneuvered by the swarm of Chinese ships in what was described as an “excessive force” by Manila.
“Such actions resulted in our two 44-meter Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRV) being unable to safely deliver essential supplies,” reads the release.
Vessels from the Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources have been damaged in recent incidents near Escoda with their Chinese counterparts over the last month. A China Coast Gard cutter rammed Cape Engaño last Monday, resulting in a 1.5-wide-meter hole in its hull, during its transit near the shoal to other Philippine outposts.
The incident is the sixth since the beginning of August between the Philippines and China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, a major increase compared to previous months. August has also seen the dispute expand into the aerial domain, with three incidents involving aircraft and the deployment of flares. While encounters between the two countries briefly simmered down following a provisional agreement in the wake of an incident that saw a Philippine Navy SEAL lose his finger at Second Thomas Shoal, spats have begun to ramp up over a new flashpoint at Escoda over the resupply and personnel rotation of the Coast Guard personnel onboard Teresa Magabnua.
