The Expedition to Escoda Shoal
In June 2024, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and marine scientists from the University of the Philippines (UP) set out on a special mission to study Escoda Shoal (also known as Sabina), a coral reef formation with a lagoon located approximately 72 nautical miles (133 km) from Puerto Princesa, Palawan. This effort aligns with broader efforts in Sustainable Coastal Resource Management for Protecting Vital Ecosystems, which emphasizes the importance of monitoring and preserving marine biodiversity.
- Location: Part of the West Philippine Sea, within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as defined by UNCLOS.
- Deployment: The PCG deployed their largest ship, BRP Teresa Magbanua, after Chinese vessels were spotted and damaged corals were discovered in April 2024.
Chinese Coercion and Confrontation
From the moment the expedition set sail, Chinese vessels shadowed the mission. The documentary details escalating aggression:
Day One: Surveillance and Interference
- A Chinese ship appeared even before the team reached BRP Teresa Magbanua, sending a clear warning.
- On the first dive, the China Coast Guard (CCG) attempted to approach the divers but were blocked by the PCG.
Day Two: Amphibious Exercise Intimidation
- People's Liberation Army Navy helicopters and hovercrafts suddenly appeared, with China claiming an amphibious exercise, which the PCG doubted.
- The PCG stated this was a tactic to intimidate scientists and prevent the survey, noting China lacked authority to conduct operations in the Philippine EEZ.
Moving Forward
- CCG ships repeatedly tried to block the mission, but the PCG refused to back down. However, if China became more aggressive, the mission would have to be aborted.
The Coral Crisis: 100% Dead
Despite the threats, scientists successfully collected samples. The findings were devastating:
- Coral Bleaching: Corals appeared unusually colorful, a sign of fluorescence, the first stage of bleaching caused by extreme water temperature due to climate change.
- Extent of Damage: “Almost all shallow water corals in Escoda Shoal are now dead... No exceptions. That’s an ecological disaster for Escoda.”
- Future Recovery: Corals may never recover. Broken corals create rubble, preventing baby corals from latching on. Fish populations have also dwindled, threatening livelihoods and food security. This catastrophic event underscores the broader deep sea mining: balancing resource demand and ocean conservation challenges, where industrial activities can directly devastate fragile marine environments.
China’s Underwater Activities
Scientists discovered sampling pits on the seabed, likely to test sediment strength. They also noted a Chinese research vessel equipped for acoustic surveys. Experts warned that China may be gathering information for future island-building, using the massive death of corals as raw material for construction.
Escalation: The Monster Ship and Ramming
- July 2024: China deployed the CCG 5901, the world’s largest coast guard ship nicknamed “The Monster,” to Escoda Shoal.
- August 31, 2024: CCG vessel 5205 approached BRP Teresa Magbanua and rammed it three times, causing damage. Four crew members required medical care, and supplies ran low, forcing the ship to leave after five months of guarding the area.
The Way Forward
Both governments have held talks but stand firm in their positions. Scientists emphasize that thorough research and conservation are urgent, but China’s blocking and aggressive maneuvers make monitoring impossible without more assets and Philippine government support. The documentary closes with a poignant reminder: while conflict dominates above the sea, the true treasures beneath, the corals, are fading, and may completely disappear if not protected. This situation parallels other global environmental crises, such as the crisis of Puerto Rico: a deep dive into economic collapse and cultural displacement, where economic and geopolitical pressures accelerate ecological and social degradation. The urgent call for climate action: our responsibility to save earth is also starkly relevant, as extreme water temperatures driving coral bleaching are a direct consequence of global warming. Furthermore, the psychological toll on scientists and coast guard personnel facing these threats highlights the importance of understanding mental health challenges and support in the Philippines, where resilience in the face of overwhelming environmental and geopolitical stress is increasingly vital.
Beneath the waves hide the treasures of our ocean. But in recent years
these riches have gradually faded and are now at risk of disappearing. This is Escoda. Part of the West Philippine Sea.
Jewel in Escoda a documentary by Izzy Lee June 2024 midnight
when the Philippine Coast Guard or PCG and marine scientists from the University of the Philippines set sail for a special mission. To study the Escoda Shoal also known as Sabina.
A coral reef formation with a lagoon. Escoda Shoal is about 72 nautical miles or 133 kilometers from Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
It is part of a disputed territory in the West Philippine Sea. Even though it is within the Philippine exclusive economic zone as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS.
The BRP Cabra moved slowly due to the darkness. The journey to Escoda took more than ten hours. And we were transferred to the larger BRP Teresa Magbanua
a ship that had been stationed there for months after Chinese vessels were spotted. In April 2024, the Philippine Coast Guard deployed their largest ship Teresa Magbanua to monitor China’s alleged activities at Escoda after the discovery of the damaged corals.
But even before we could reach Teresa Magbanua, a Chinese ship had already appeared. It was a warning. Surveillance.
A sign that they were present. The scientists and supplies were still successfully transferred. Today we will join the UP Marine Science Institute
and the Philippine Coast Guard to the shallow area of Escoda Shoal the scientists will observe the condition of the corals. Four rigid hull inflatable boats or RHIBs
carrying us and the scientists together with the PCG. But if yesterday, the China Coast Guard or CCG just watched today they behaved differently.
The PCG blocked as the CCG tried to approach the divers. “China Coast Guard, China Coast Guard, we are conducting marine scientific research activity.” Please keep clear of us for safety.
The scientists dove one by one to conduct their mission to observe the corals and gather samples. Two China Coast Guard RHIBs are circling us here
while the experts from UP MSI are conducting scientific research. They also said an additional RHIB has just been deployed. But what we feared happened.
It started as a game of tag at sea but ended in a collision. Despite the threat, the Filipinos in the mission stood their ground.
The scientists reported the corals they observed looked colorful. But that was actually a sign that they might not last long. “Fluorescence,” or brightening of color, is the first stage of what they call “coral bleaching,”
caused by extreme water temperature in the West Philippine Sea due to climate change. The scientists also saw what they call “coral rubble”
or broken corals, a result of bleaching. It could also be man-made, but they’re not yet sure if China was involved. That color isn’t their natural color.
The process of fluorescene has started and in a few days, they could turn completely white because the water temperature rises, the corals get stressed.
if they don’t recover, they die. After hours of diving, we were on our way back to Teresa Magbanua. But that too was interrupted.
Suddenly, China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy helicopters appeared and huge hovercrafts rushed into the waters. According to the PCG, they received a call from China that an amphibious exercise would be held.
But the PCG doubted this. This is just China’s way of intimidating marine scientists to prevent the survey of Escoda Shoal. They don’t have proper authority to conduct such amphibious operations in our exclusive economic zone
without informing the Department of Foreign Affairs. [loud horn from ship] Later, CCG ships also appeared.
They tried to block us, but the PCG refused to back down. Despite everything, we returned safely to Teresa Magbanua. We are on our 2nd day here in Escoda Shoal. Today, the UP Marine Science Institute
will try to dive in another two shallow locations here in Escoda. But if China becomes aggressive, the mission may have to be aborted. As you can see behind me,
the China Coast Guard ship has been circling the BRP Teresa Magbanua since yesterday. And as expected, we were again confronted by the CCG. This time, their speedboat gave chase.
Later, the China Coast Guard pulled back. After the expedition, the discoveries at Escoda were presented in Manila. The corals were white and almost 100% dead.
Some were covered in algae. The majority or almost all of the shallow water corals in Escoda Shoal are now dead. Given the trend, there were no exceptions.
We didn’t observe a space where some corals survived. For me, that’s an ecological disaster for Escoda. There’s a possibility that the corals might never recover.
Corals might struggle to recover. If broken, baby corals can’t latch on or if they do, they could get buried. Eventually, coral rubble might pile up unless washed away into deeper waters.
If they are not washed away, there will be a build up. Fish populations in Escoda have also dwindled. Scientists worry that fishermen may lose their livelihood
and the country’s food security could be affected. One more discovery: China’s underwater activities. We saw some sampling pits
maybe to check the strength or hardness of seabed in the area. The remaining research vessel in the area likely has equipment for acoustic surveys.
The fact that they are there in large numbers and they’ve stationed themselves in strategic points and their activities suggest that they’re gathering information that can be of use to them in the future.
It’s very likely that there will be piling up of corals from those so there will now be a lot of materials for building islands with these death of corals.
In May 2024, the PCG accused China of doing reclamation work at Escoda. China strongly denied this and claimed the Philippines was spreading rumors to damage its reputation.
“This is a Philippine Coast Guard vessel. We are BRP Teresa Magbanua. You are sailing within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone.
What is your intention?” In the next month, July 2024 China Coast Guard sent the CCG 5901
the world’s largest coast guard ship nicknamed “The Monster” to Escoda Shoal. The Monster Ship is on the starboard side.
We still don’t know their intention. We have been challenging their presence We communicated that where they are anchored is part of our Exclusive Economic Zone of our country. They do not have jurisdiction in the area.
Both governments stated they will work to ease tensions at Escoda. At noon on August 31, 2024, according to the Philippine Coast Guard, Chinese Coast Guard vessel 5205 approached the BRP Teresa Magbanua
and carried out a dangerous maneuver. The BRP Magbanua was rammed three times. We have issued a statement to the Chinese embassy
and even to the embassy of Philippines in Beijing. issuing our serious concern connected to the act the Chinese vessels. “China Coast Guard, this is Philippine Coast Guard.
we are conducting marine scientific research activity please keep clear.” In September 2024, The Department of Foreign Affairs announced that China and the Philippines had held talks.
But both countries stood firm in their positions. They promised to find ways to prevent such confrontations from happening again. No resolution has been reached on what will happen at Escoda.
After five months of guarding the area, the BRP Teresa Magbanua left Escoda. We intend to continue our presence in Escoda Shoal. As we are aware, we had to leave due to damage from August 31.
We had four people needing medical care three were completely dehydrated and one had a gout attack.
They had also run out of food supplies. For the experts, one thing is clear. The corals must be saved as soon as possible.
To make this happen, thorough research is needed. With this blocking and maneuvering from China, how can we manage, monitor, and conserve these resources?
These are very important questions that would require more assets, more support from the Philippine government. While all eyes are on the conflict above the sea
beneath the ocean, our true treasures are fading symbolizing that there are lives that must be protected. Like the corals in Escoda
it’s heartbreaking to think that as time drifts on, they might completely disappear.
The documentary follows a June 2024 Philippine Coast Guard and University of the Philippines expedition to Escoda Shoal (Sabina) in the West Philippine Sea. It details Chinese Coast Guard harassment, coral reef destruction, and the discovery that 100% of shallow-water corals are dead due to bleaching, an ecological disaster exacerbated by climate change and geopolitical tensions.
Chinese vessels shadowed the expedition from the start, with the China Coast Guard (CCG) attempting to approach divers on the first dive and conducting an amphibious exercise with PLA Navy helicopters and hovercrafts on the second day to intimidate scientists. Later, in July 2024, the CCG deployed the world’s largest coast guard ship (CCG 5901) and rammed the Philippine ship BRP Teresa Magbanua three times on August 31, 2024, causing damage and forcing its departure.
The primary cause was extreme water temperatures due to climate change, leading to coral bleaching. Corals initially showed fluorescence (unusual bright colors) as the first bleaching stage, then died completely. Additionally, broken corals turned into rubble, preventing new baby corals from attaching, and the fish population has dwindled, worsening the ecological disaster.
Scientists discovered sampling pits on the seabed and observed a Chinese research vessel equipped for acoustic surveys. Experts warn that China may be gathering sediment data to plan future island construction, using the massive coral death as raw material for building artificial structures, which would further devastate the marine ecosystem.
The crisis highlights conflicts over marine resources, as seen in similar global challenges like deep-sea mining (referenced in the summary). It also underscores the urgent need for climate action, as extreme water temperatures driving coral bleaching are directly linked to global warming. The psychological toll on scientists and coast guard personnel reflects broader mental health challenges in facing such environmental and geopolitical stress.
Recovery is highly unlikely because all shallow-water corals are dead and broken into rubble, which prevents baby corals from attaching and growing. Without immediate intervention and protection from further damage, scientists warn the reef may completely disappear, threatening local fish populations, livelihoods, and food security.
Scientists emphasize the need for thorough research and conservation, but China’s blockades and aggressive maneuvers make monitoring impossible. The Philippine government must increase assets (ships, personnel) and diplomatic support to enable safe scientific work. Both governments have held talks but remain deadlocked, making urgent action critical before the reef is lost entirely.
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