Beijing has filed a diplomatic protest with Manila over the presence of a Philippine Coast Guard vessel at Escoda (Sabina) Shoal. In a statement over the weekend, a China Foreign Ministry spokesperson accused the PCG of illegally anchoring in the lagoon of Escoda Shoal, which it claims is part of China’s Nansha Qundao island. The PCG’s deployment of the BRP Teresa Magbanua at Escoda Shoal is primarily aimed at tracking and monitoring the recent discovery of crushed corals in the area in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Kabagani, L. J., & Reyes, J. (2024, August 18). China protests PCG ship at Escoda Shoal. Daily Tribune, p. A9.