There are now fewer Chinese ships at the Escoda (Sabina) Shoal because of the bad weather, National Maritime Council (NMC) spokesperson Undersecretary Alexander Lopez said on Thursday, Sept. 19, adding that nature has become the Philippines “ally.”
A flag-raising activity is conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) onboard BRP Teresa Magbanua in the vicinity of Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on June 12, 2024 to commemorate the 126th Philippine Independence Day. (PCG photo)
“Kung ang time frame natin is before yung umalis ang (BRP Teresa) Magbanua marami talaga. Pero nung umalis yun Magbanua, kumonti din sila especially now yun masama ‘yung panahon (If our time frame is before the Magbanua left, there were really plenty. But after the Magbanua left, they decreased especially now the weather is bad),” he explained.
“One good thing about here, the nature is our ally. Bagyo ay kakampi natin (The typhoon became our ally),” the official added.
Lopez was referring to the BRP Teresa Magbanua, which left the shoal last weekend after being there since April because her mission was already accomplished.
It was at the vicinity of the Escoda Shoal where the BRP Teresa Magbanua was repeatedly rammed by the China Coast Guard (CCG), claiming that the ship was intruding into Chinese territory.
When asked if it is time to ask Philippine allies for help in escorting its vessels on its routine supply missions at sea, the official explained that was not how it works.
“We have a dignity as a nation. Kaya pa naman natin. Siguro (We are still capable. Maybe) when push comes to show, when worst comes to worst, and that will be a executive decision whether we will to accede their request,” he said.
The spokesperson added that the statements of support from Philippine allies are enough for now, although government-to-government agreements like grants, and provisions of ships and assets to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine Navy (PN) would be of much bigger help because this will allow them to better patrol the disputed areas.
“Just imagine sa laki din ng kabila. Kung ganun sila kadami mag-deploy dapat ganun din tayo para hindi tayo mabully (Just imagine how large the fleet of the other side is. If they deploy that many, we should be able to do the same so we won’t be bullied),” Lopez stressed.
He also expressed agreement to the suggestion of Senator Francis Tolentino to lease foreign ships to expand the country’s maritime fleet.
“Habang wala pa tayo talagang atin, it’s an option mag-arkila tayo. Maganda ang suggestion ni Senator Tolentino (While we don’t have ours yet, it’s an option to just rent. The suggestion of Senator Tolentino is good),” he said.
“In fact, pinag-iisipan na ‘yun dati (That has been discussed before),” the official added.