Chinese presence at Escoda shoal peaks with 11 warships

MANILA, Philippines — The number of Chinese ships at Escoda (Sabina) Shoal has increased to a “record-high” 82, including 11 warships, 10 days after the BRP Teresa Magbanua left the area on Sept. 14, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Tuesday.

The military said it is also monitoring a Chinese research vessel sailing close to Palawan’s coastline as of Monday.

The AFP said the Chinese deployment at Escoda was the first time it had observed that many warships of the People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN).

Besides the 11 warships, 16 China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and 55 militia ships were also spotted at Escoda from Sept. 17 to Sept. 23, Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), said at a press briefing on Tuesday.

Earlier, the military said 65 Chinese ships were seen swarming the shoal from Sept. 10 to Sept. 16, as the Teresa Magbanua was leaving that area for repairs and to give its crew a much-needed rest after five months at sea.

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‘Nobody has control’

As of Monday, there were a total of 251 Chinese ships swarming various parts of the West Philippine Sea.

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“This is the biggest increase. From 157, it went down a bit. Then it went up to 251. For whatever reason, I don’t want to speculate on that. We continue monitoring. We continue performing our mandate,” Trinidad said.

Data from the AFP show that most Chinese ships are at Escoda and Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoals.

At Ayungin, there are 82 Chinese ships, including one research vessel from the previous 17—“the first time we have monitored that number,” Trinidad said.

Yet despite the Teresa Magbaua’s departure from Escoda, Trinidad said China has not taken control of that area.

“The mere fact that the AFP, the Navy, the Air Force and the Army can continue performing our mandate, sailing the seas, and flying in the skies—not only the AFP but also other government agencies—indicates that nobody has control over that vast expanse of water in the South China Sea,” he said.

Research ship off Palawan

Trinidad disclosed, however, that a Chinese research vessel was sailing much closer as of Monday—about 50 kilometers (27 nautical miles) west of Palawan province.

On Tuesday, US maritime expert Ray Powell made a similar projection on X that Chinese survey ship Haiyang Dizhi 12 Hao and “its screen of six maritime militia ships” were being tracked by BRP Cape Engaño of the Philippine Coast Guard about 74 km (40 nautical miles) west of Palawan.

Another research vessel together with 24 other Chinese ships were also seen at Pag-asa Island, while 38 maritime militia ships were spotted at Rozul (Iroquois) Reef, three Chinese warships at Likas Island, and two militia vessels at Panata Island.

‘Unsafe maneuvers’

Trinidad also disclosed a Chinese military helicopter conducting “unsafe maneuvers” on Saturday when it flew close to an aircraft of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources patrolling over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

“These are unsafe maneuvers—they are uncalled for and unprofessional,” he said.

Actions like this “have no place in the aviation industry.” Trinidad pointed out that, based on aviation reports, “the closer you get, the greater the potential for any untoward incident, which is what we would like to prevent in the entire WPS.”

“Not only for aircraft but even for ships. Hence, the need for all the actions to be within the rules of engagement and international law,” he said.

Trinidad made the assurance that Filipino pilots have their appropriate contingency measures, just as Philippine ships patrolling the West Philippine Sea have contingency plans.

According to AFP data, two CCG vessels, two PLAN warships and seven militia ships as well as one research vessel were at Panatag during that incident.

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