The Philippine Navy on Tuesday said the country seeks to protect its territory, sovereignty and sovereign rights with the prolonged presence of BRP Teresa Magbanua at Escoda Shoal (Sabina Shoal), a move which was met with suspicion from China.
Magbanua, a 97-meter multi-role response vessel (MRRV) of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), was deployed to Escoda in April to monitor Chinese activities over suspected reclamation works in the area.
“[We] have to ensure that our territory is intact, our sovereignty and sovereign rights are protected,” Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesperson of the Philippine Navy for the West Philippine Sea, said.
“This will mean increased presence, this will mean increased maritime and air patrols, this will mean stationing ships longer than necessary,” he continued.
