The Philippine Coast Guard has sent a new ship to Escoda Shoal, also known as Sabina Shoal, to replace BRP Teresa Magbanua.

This was confirmed by National Security Adviser Sec. Eduardo Año during an ambush interview at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Maritime Safety Services Command of the Philippine Coast Guard at Sangley Point in Cavite.

However, the deployment of the PCG ship has been slightly delayed due to bad weather.

"Actually nagpadala na ang ating Coast Guard pero because of the weather kailangan mag shelter muna as soon as mag improve yung weather may plano yung ating Philippine Coast Guard kung papaano poproteksyonan ang ating West Philippine Sea,“ said Año.

"After ma-accomplish ng Magbanua yung kaniyang mission, tuloy-tuloy ang ating pagpapatrolya sa ating West Philippine Sea, ang ating Armed Forces of the Philippines, ang ating Philippine Coast Guard ang ating BFAR of course to protect also our fishermen and to ensure nga na napoprotektahan ang ating sovereign rights," added Año.

Año did not provide further details on whether the new ship sent by the PCG will dock at Sabina Shoal like the BRP Teresa Magbanua or if it will only patrol the area.

"Well depende sa situation but the point is we will make sure that our presence in Sabina Shoal and other areas in the West Philippines Sea are always there," he added.

The BRP Teresa Magbanua stayed at Sabina Shoal for five months before it was ordered back to port.

Año allayed fears that the situation at Sabina Shoal might mirror that of Scarborough Shoal.

"Malayong-malayo ang situation, kahit tingnan natin doon, unang-una noong 2012 mayroon stand-off doon, dito sa atin walangn stand-off, pangalawa doon may involvement na ng PLA Navy at saka nagkaroon ng matinding stand-off at medyo nabulabog nang husto even the highest level of the government, and of course mayroon tayo continuing bilateral consultaton mechanism between the DFA ang the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ,ang maganda nito nag—usap at parehas may intensyon to arrive common understanding to defuse the tension," Año said.

Año said that there will be changes in the deployment of ships in the West Philippine Sea, but he did not provide details.

"Nag-uusap yung National Maritime Council at saka ang ating Armed Forces at ang Philippine Coast Guard ay maganda ang coordination and the President is constantly giving us guidance. Every time na magkakausap kami ni Presidente, pinaka-last na usapan namin about 2 or 3 days ago at nagbibigay siya ng guidance kung ano ang gagawin namin sa West Philippine Sea," he added.

Año clarified that there is no need for a new arrangement or understanding with China regarding the situation in Sabina Shoal.

"I don’t think kailangan natin ng ganoong understanding because ang importante lang naman sa Sabina, number 1, matigil yung anumang reclamation na ginagawa dito, pangalawa walang mga illegal activities na ginagawa, any foreign power at pangatlo maintain our access and presence because Sabina Shoal is a low-tide elevation and it is within our exclusive economic zone. Hindi yan high tide elevation, hindi yan pupwedeng maging teritoryo ng anumang country pero under siya sa ating exclusive economic zone. Tayo lang ang mayroong karapatan para i-exploit ang lahat ng resources dito," said Año.