The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has sent a ship to Escoda Shoal as a replacement for the BRP Teresa Magbanua, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said yesterday.
“Our Coast Guard has already sent a replacement but because of the weather, it has to take shelter first,” he said.
“It will continue with its journey as soon as the weather improves. Our Philippine Coast Guard has a plan on how to protect our West Philippine Sea,” the NSC chief told GMA News.
The BRP Teresa Magbanua was pulled out after keeping watch over Escoda Shoal for five months for repairs and the medical treatment of several of its crew.
The flagship vessel of the Coast Guard endured harassment and ramming by Chinese ships in an attempt to force it out of the shoal which had been deployed there to prevent possible Chinese reclamation activities.
Escoda Shoal, also known as Sabina Shoal, is located 75 nautical miles or about 140 kms off Palawan and is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Meanwhile, the Typhon mid-range capability (MRC) missile system deployed in the Philippines by the United States will stay for training purposes, Philippine Army Spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala told the Manila Standard on Friday.
Dema-ala however said that the decision for the MRC’s deployment in the country remains a bilateral decision of both countries.
“MRC will stay for training purposes. But there is also a possibility that anytime there will be changes on its status depending on what will be decided at the strategic level,” he said.
“The Philippine Army is focused on training. We have no control as to the disposition of the MRC,” Dema-ala said.
Dema-ala said training with MRC involves 50 personnel from the Army Artillery Regiment as the Salaknib Phase 2 is still ongoing and tentatively ends around the 4th week of September.
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