Philippine Coast Guard Defends Presence at Escoda Shoal Under UNCLOS

MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has affirmed that its deployment of vessels to Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea is in accordance with international law, specifically the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

According to Philippines News Agency, Commodore Jay Tarriela, the presence of Philippine vessels at Escoda Shoal is legally supported by UNCLOS. Tarriela dismissed claims that the Philippines is establishing a forward base in the area as unfounded and not meriting serious response. He criticized the accusatory stance of China, suggesting that such claims reflect China’s own practices of occupying and militarizing parts of the South China Sea unlawfully.

Tarriela emphasized that the accusations from China are part of a broader strategy to divert attention from its own “unlawful actions and aggressive behavior” in the region, including the encroachment of Chinese vessels into the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ). He accused China of attempting to shape international and domestic perceptions falsely by asserting illegitimate claims over the South China Sea.

The disputed area has seen various deployments from China, including the Chinese Coast Guard, the maritime militia, and research vessels, all of which challenge the maritime boundaries established by UNCLOS and recognized internationally.