The Philippines is sending a new vessel to replace the coast guard ship Teresa Magbanua at Sabina Shoal after it returned to port. China had demanded the withdrawal of the Teresa Magbanua, calling it “illegally stranded” at Sabina Shoal, and criticized the Philippines for infringing on its territorial sovereignty. The Philippines stated that it was sending a vessel to replace the coast guard ship in a swap that would likely upset China. As a result, the tensions between the two countries have escalated over the contested feature in the South China Sea.
Teresa Magbanua was deployed at Sabina Shoal to monitor China’s suspected land reclamation activities in the area. The ship returned to port after completing its mission, and a new ship is set to immediately take over and maintain the Philippine presence at the shoal. The shoal is located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, but China claims ownership of it as part of its broader claim to the entire South China Sea. The presence of Teresa Magbanua at the shoal has aggravated China, resulting in further disputes between the two countries in the disputed waters.
There have been accusations of intentional ramming of vessels by both China and the Philippines near Sabina Shoal last month. This incident occurred shortly after reaching an agreement on resupply missions to a Filipino naval ship beached in the Second Thomas Shoal. The return of Teresa Magbanua to port was necessary for medical needs of its crew and repair work. Once it has been resupplied and repaired, it will resume its mission, along with other coast guard and military assets to defend the Philippines’ sovereignty in the area.
Following high-level talks between Manila and Beijing, the Philippines reaffirmed its position on Sabina Shoal while China reiterated its demand for the withdrawal of the coast guard vessel. China’s coast guard stated that it would continue its law enforcement activities in the waters under its jurisdiction to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. China’s claims over most of the South China Sea overlap with the maritime zones of other countries in the region, leading to ongoing disputes and tensions in the area. The Hague arbitration tribunal invalidated China’s historical claims in 2016, a decision that Beijing rejects.
The situation at Sabina Shoal highlights the ongoing territorial disputes between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. Both countries are standing firm in their respective positions, with the Philippines asserting its sovereignty over the shoal within its exclusive economic zone, while China maintains its claims over the broader region. The presence of coast guard vessels from both countries in the area has resulted in escalating tensions and incidents of confrontation, raising concerns about the potential for further clashes in the contested waters. The deployment of a new vessel by the Philippines to replace Teresa Magbanua signifies Manila’s commitment to maintaining its presence at Sabina Shoal despite China’s objections.
