Allowing China to build an artificial island on Escoda Shoal will have a decades-long impact on the Philippines' energy security, retired Supreme Court senior associate justice Antonio Carpio warned.According to a report by Jonathan Andal on 24 Oras on Wednesday, Carpio underscored the need to defend Escoda Shoal because of its proximity to Recto Bank and the rich oil deposits there." may outpost sila , puwede nila bantayan 24 hours a day 'yung Reed Bank... Reed Bank is rich in gas.
Last Saturday, Tarriela said 34 Chinese maritime militia vessels had been monitored at Escoda Shoal, as well as three People's Liberation Army Navy ships, a PLA Navy helicopter, and four China Coast Guard vessels."Right now, it is a flashpoint because 'yun nga, doon natin nakita 'yung China na mag-uumpisa na mag-dredge, no? Mag-create ng artificial islands," Carpio said.