MANILA. The Philippines has announced the deployment of a new Coast Guard vessel to Sabina Shoal, replacing the 318-foot BRP Teresa Magbanua after a five-month mission in the contested waters of the South China Sea. This move comes amid escalating tensions with China, which has repeatedly demanded the withdrawal of Philippine vessels from the area it claims as part of its own territory.
The Teresa Magbanua, deployed to monitor suspected Chinese land reclamation activities at Sabina Shoal, returned to port on Sunday for resupply and crew medical needs. Despite China’s demands, the Philippines remains firm in maintaining its presence in the area. “Another will immediately take over,” stated National Maritime Council (NMC) spokesperson Alexander Lopez, confirming orders from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) chief. “Definitely, we will keep our presence there.”
China has long asserted that Sabina Shoal, which it calls Xianbin Reef, is part of its broader claim to nearly the entire South China Sea. However, Sabina Shoal lies just 93 miles west of Palawan, well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Philippines refers to the shoal as Escoda Shoal and views it as part of its sovereign territory.
Beijing, angered by the continued Philippine presence at the shoal, has accused Manila of “seriously infringing on China’s territorial sovereignty.” In a statement issued on Sunday, Chinese coast guard spokesperson Liu Dejun described the Philippine vessel as being “illegally stranded” at the atoll. China reiterated its demand for the Philippines to withdraw its vessels following high-level talks between the two nations last week.
“The Philippine side’s actions have seriously infringed on China’s territorial sovereignty,” said Liu. Despite this, the Philippines has reaffirmed its right to patrol and safeguard the area. Lucas Bersamin, executive secretary and NMC chairman, stated: “Once resupplied and repaired, Teresa Magbanua will resume its mission, along with other coast guard and military assets, as defenders of our sovereignty.”
Sabina Shoal has recently become a flashpoint in the ongoing dispute over the South China Sea. Last month, Manila and Beijing exchanged accusations of intentional ramming between vessels near the shoal, just after both sides had reached an agreement on resupply missions to the Second Thomas Shoal, another disputed area.
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, a stance that overlaps with the maritime zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Despite a 2016 ruling by the Hague arbitration tribunal that invalidated China’s sweeping claims, Beijing continues to reject the decision and asserts its control over the region.
China’s coast guard has vowed to continue conducting “law enforcement activities” in the waters it claims are under its jurisdiction. “We will safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” stated the Chinese coast guard.
As tensions rise, the Philippines remains resolute in asserting its rights over its EEZ, with continued deployments aimed at defending its territorial integrity amidst growing pressure from Beijing.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
