The strategic presence of the Philippines in the Escoda Shoal stays even after the BRP Teresa Magbanua has pulled out from the area, according to National Maritime Council (NMC) spokesperson, retired Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez.
“Ang directive ni Pangulo ay i-maintain natin ‘yung ating presence,” Undersecretary Lopez told the Malacañang Press Corps on Monday.
“Kapag sinabing presence, strategic presence iyon di lang physical presence. I just want to clear that kapag sinabi natin presence, magpapadala lang ng isang barko, sinabi ko nga kanina napakalaki ng lugar,” Lopez explained.
The BRP Teresa Magbanua left the shoal after more than five months of deployment and arrived at its homeport in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, on Sunday.
A China Coast Guard boat rammed the Magbanua while it was navigating the shoal several weeks ago.
Lopez said the pullout from the shoal doesn’t mean the country is giving up its claim to the area, which is well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). “Kasi ang iniisip natin dahil umalis iyon ay ginive-up (give up) na natin. Hindi. Mali ‘yung ganoon pananaw. Wala tayong gini-give up,” Lopez stressed.
“Kahit umalis ‘yung Teresa Magbanua doon, it did not diminish our presence there dahil may ibang paraan para i-monitor, i-cover ‘yung area,” he added. This includes reconnaissance missions using aircraft and other technical capabilities, with the help of the country’s allies like the US, Japan, and Australia, he added.
Lopez said the Philippines can monitor Escoda Shoal with a single ship equipped with radar, noting that monitoring activities can be augmented by additional assets from the Philippine Navy (PN) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
“Like for example nagpapalipad tayo ng eroplano… nagpapalipad din ng eroplano ‘yung AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) nagpapadala din ng barko. So these are the modalities na puwede din gawin para ma-cover di lang ‘yung Escoda, but the whole West Philippine Sea for that matter,” he said.
The PCG will also soon send personnel to the shoal once the weather improves, according to Lopez.
PND
