The Philippines will maintain a persistent presence in the contested Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea, according to a statement by its coast guard on Monday. This comes after the Philippine vessel Teresa Magbanua returned to port following a five-month deployment in the area.
Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson Jay Tarriela emphasized that the country will continue to deploy vessels in these waters, reinforcing the nation’s stance amid concerns over China’s activities. The Teresa Magbanua was initially sent to the shoal in April to monitor what the Philippines suspects are small-scale land reclamation operations by China. The ship’s return on Sunday was due to the need for repairs and to address crew medical needs, and not in response to any demands from China, according to Tarriela.
Sabina Shoal, referred to by China as Xianbin Reef and by the Philippines as Escoda Shoal, is located west of the Philippine province of Palawan, within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Despite China’s claims, the Philippines is committed to ensuring a coast guard presence at all times, regardless of the size or number of vessels, Tarriela assured during a press conference.
China’s coast guard responded on Sunday, stating it will continue its law enforcement activities within the waters it claims as its jurisdiction, in line with Beijing’s laws, to protect its territorial sovereignty and maritime interests.
China asserts sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, leading to territorial disputes with several Southeast Asian nations, including Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. However, in 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in The Hague ruled against China’s extensive territorial claims, a decision that Beijing has repeatedly rejected.