The Philippine Navy assured that maritime and air surveillance patrols will persist across all Philippine-held areas in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), despite the return of Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) BRP Teresa Magbanua to its homeport.
"Tuluy-tuloy naman ang maritime patrols ng Navy ships at air surveillance flights ng Air Force and Navy aircraft natin. Kailanman hindi humupa, bagkus dumami pa simula nung nag-implement tayo ng CADC," Navy spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a message to media.
The official also dispelled fears that China might take advantage of the largest PCG vessel's return to its homeport while noting that Escoda Shoal, which is feared to be a site for a potential man-made facility by Beijing, is under close monitoring.
“Noon pa man, ang ating tuon ay sa mga features natin sa WPS na ang mga ito ay manatiling atin; kailanman ay hindi nawala at tinitiyak namin na hindi mawawala sa ating close monitoring ang Escoda — at ang kabuuan — ng WPS," said Trinidad.
As stated earlier by the National Maritime Council, the PCG and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will continue monitoring Escoda Shoal and other Philippine-controlled islands in areas disputed by China, in accordance with the 2016 Arbitral Ruling.
The BRP Teresa Magbanua was positioned at Escoda Shoal in April to monitor alleged reclamation efforts by China but had to return to Palawan after experiencing a supply shortage, which was worsened by interference with resupply missions by the other nation.
The BRP Teresa Magbanua sustained structural damage from a ramming incident involving a China Coast Guard vessel (CCG) on August 31.
Furthermore, the National Maritime Council indicated that the vessel's return was due to humanitarian reasons, including the need to evacuate personnel on board who were in need of medical attention.
