BAD weather is hampering the arrival of a replacement vessel deployed by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said yesterday.

Año, also chairman of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, said the PCG vessel was forced to take shelter due to inclement weather but will proceed to Escoda, also known as Sabina Shoal, as soon as the weather condition improves.

“Actually, the Philippine Coast Guard deployed a vessel but because of the (bad) weather, it needed to take shelter for the meantime… It will proceed (to the area) once the weather condition improves,” Año told reporters in an ambush interview at Sangley Point in Cavite.

Año declined to give details about the vessel’s deployment, leaving it to the PCG to l give details. “Suffice it to say, we have vessels from our Coast Guard that are ready,” he said.

The vessel was supposed to replace BRP Teresa Magbanua which pulled out of Escoda on September 14 primarily due to bad weather. The PCG has cited three other reasons for the withdrawal of the vessel — dwindling supplies, need to evacuate sick crew members, and the damage it sustained after it was rammed three times by a China Coast Guard vessel last August 31.

BRP Teresa Magbanua was sent to the shoal in April after authorities discovered a pileup of crushed corals, which they said is an indication of China’s small-scale land reclamation.

The withdrawal of BRP Magbanua from the feature left the Philippine government without any physical presence at the shoal, about 72 nautical miles from mainland Palawan.

Sixty-five Chinese vessels are in the area as of last Tuesday, the composed of 52 maritime militia, nine Coast Guard, and four Navy ships.

Año, pressed if the replacement vessel will drop anchor at the shoal just like BRP Magbanua, said, “It depends on the situation. But the point is we will make sure that our presence in Sabina Shoal and other areas in the entire West Philippine Sea is always there.”

“Our mandate is to make sure that we are protecting our territorial integrity and sovereignty and sovereign rights,” said Año.

On calls to tap US help in protecting the Philippine interest in the area, Año said, “When it comes to the West Philippine Sea, the guidance is of the President is all Filipino.”

“We are able to handle it so far and likewise, we don’t want an escalation (of the tension) by involving third parties. At this moment, what we are using is combination of all national instruments of power, including diplomacy and dialogue,” he said.

South Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-Hwa said the Philippines can consider his country as partner if it expands multilateral patrols or maritime cooperative activities (MCAs) in the South China Sea amid aggressive Chinese activities in the disputed waterway.

Lee said his government is also considering entering into a visiting forces agreement (VFA) with the Philippines.

“The Philippines is eager or willing to consider expanding partnership with allies and partners. Of course, we are eager to be considered. Korea can be one of the top candidates in maritime cooperation, or whatever you call it,” Lee said on the sidelines of a forum.

The Philippines has held MCAs with the United States, Japan, Australia and Canada. It has VFAs the US and Australia and a similar access agreement with Japan, and is negotiating similar agreements with France and Canada. – With Ashzel Hachero