The Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) defense of Escoda (Sabina) Shoal from suspected reclamation activities by China will ensure the continuity of resupply mission to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), according to a coast guard official.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for WPS, said Ayungin Shoal lies between Escoda Shoal and Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, where China has already established an artificial island that has been fully militarized since reclamation works started in the mid-2010s.
"The Chinese has already established a naval base in Mischief Reef. In between Mischief Reef and [Escoda] Shoal is Ayungin Shoal," Tarriela said in a press conference on Monday, May 13.
If China will be successful in carrying out reclamation activities in Escoda Shoal and converting it to a naval base, Tarriela said it will be "very difficult" for the PCG and Armed Forces of the Philipppines (AFP) to do the resupply mission because "they have already encircled the entire Ayungin Shoal."
Panganiban Reef is a low-tide elevation located approximately 135 nautical miles (250 km) west of Palawan.
Despite being within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ), China managed to do major reclamation activities on it beginning in 2014 but facilities have reportedly been built as early as 1994.
International think tank Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) said Panganiban Reef has already been equipped with large sensor/communications facilities topped by a radome, underground storage tunnels "likely for ammunition and other materiel," a runway, and hangar space for combat aircraft among others.
Meanwhile, 23 nautical miles southeast of Panganiban Reef lies Ayungin Shoal where BRP Sierra Madre, a dilapidated World War II-era warship, was deliberately ran aground to serve as a permanent outpost by the Philippine Navy. Resupply mission is regularly being carried out by the AFP, and supported by the PCG, to ensure the troops guarding the shoal will survive the harsh living condition there.
To the east of Ayungin Shoal is Escoda Shoal, which is just around 71 nautical miles (131 km) from the nearest coastline of Palawan province.
Last month, the PCG deployed its biggest ship, BRP Teresa Magbanua, there after they found out that dead and crushed corals were dumped in multiple areas on the shoal's seabed, pointing to possible reclamation activities, Tarriela said.
"The PCG has to make sure that we're not going to allow China from carrying out successful reclamation in [Escoda] Shoal," the PCG spokesperson said.
As of May 13, BRP Teresa Magbanua was already on its 29th day of deployment in Escoda Shoal to conduct patrols and ensure no Chinese vessel will be able to build artificial island there.
As to until when BRP Teresa Magbanua will remain in Escoda Shoal, Tarriela had this to say: "As long as it takes."
"As long as it allows the operational capability of our vessel, we're going to maintain our presence there. We're going to hold the line," he said.