Fishermen who joined the second Atin Ito-led civilian mission to Scarborough Shoal on May 16, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Philippines has deployed combined assets of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to patrol waters near the Escoda Shoal after its largest civilian vessel pulled out from the area last week, an official from the National Maritime Council said on Saturday.

While the Philippine government cannot reveal details of the assets that were deployed to replace the BRP Teresa Magbanua, the NMC guaranteed that Manila is maintaining its presence in the area between Ayungin Shoal and mainland Palawan.

"Hindi lang actually Philippine Coast Guard, mayroon din tayong presensiya ng Armed Forces of the Philippines so it's a combination of the assets of both the Coast Guard and the Armed Forces," NMC spokesperson Alexander Lopez said in a news forum.

"Hindi ko puwedeng sabihin kung whether umangkla siya o naglalayag… So, ang importante dito ay mayroon na tayong presensiya doon," he said.

READ: BRP Teresa Magbanua leaves Escoda Shoal after months at sea

READ: Philippines says 'we have not lost' Escoda Shoal after pullout

The BRP Teresa Magbanua had withdrawn from its position near the Escoda Shoal last week for repairs, and also had its personnel treated from dehydration after a Chinese blockade made it difficult for the Philippines to resupply its vessel.

The Philippines "had an operational adjustment… technical and within our assets" after studying China's movements in the area, the NMC official said.

"Nag adjust na tayo ng operational concept or modality… Hindi ko puwede sabihin kung ilan o ano but what we are trying to convey sa ating mga kababayan ay mayroon tayong presensya doon, idinodocument natin ang mga nangyayari doon," he said.

While the Philippines is committed to uphold its transparency initiatives in the West Philippine Sea, it is now more careful not to give away its strategic positions in the area, Lopez said.

"Mas maganda nga yung nanghuhula sila kung nasaan kasi kung alam nila kung nasaan, doon sila pupunta, parang magnet yan. Kaya our approach is not to reveal kung nasaan sila," he said.

"Kapag nagsabi tayo [kung nasaan], tine-telegraph natin yung baraha natin. Kaya as part of our operational security, itong mga detalyeng ito, we keep close to our chest… kaya mas maganda na hindi nila alam kung nandoon na tayo," he said.

Meanwhile, Lopez maintained that the Philippines has yet to accept the United States' offer to escort its resupply vessels in areas infested by Chinese ships after several incidents of Beijing's dangerous maneuvers at sea.

"Nagpapasalamat kami sa Estados Unidos. Nagkakaroon tayo ng sense of assurance na yung pagiging alyansa natin ay solid," he said.

"Pero hindi porket na may ganitong problema ay dudulog tayo. Mayroon tayong sense of pride, dignity as a nation," he said.

"We will exhaust all our resources. Hanggat kaya natin, tayo muna," he added.

READ: PCG not surrendering post despite Teresa Magbanua pulling out from Escoda, says Tarriela

Manila is also looking at renting larger resupply ships while its Coast Guard vessels that have been damaged by Beijing aggression are still under repair, Lopez said.

But the fine print of possible lease deals have yet to be finalized, he added.

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