View from Manila: New tension points with China

MANILA, Philippines – Just a few months ago, Escoda (Sabina) Shoal would only be mentioned in passing in discussions of tensions between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea.

The shoal, a low-tide elevation some 75 nautical miles from Palawan, is close to Ayungin Shoal and is where the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Navy-contracted ships usually rendezvous for resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre.

Nowadays, it’s the focus of those discussions. Tensions are heating up in the West Philippine Sea...