Philippines Denies Giving Up Reef In Disputed South China Sea Amidst Standoff With China

The Philippines has made it clear that it has no intention of giving up on a reef in the South China Sea, two days after it removed a ship stationed there after a month-long standoff with China.

Manila sent the Coast Guard flagship BRP Teresa Magbanua to Sabina Shoal in April to prevent China from constructing an artificial island there.

However, the vessel was called to the Philippine island of Palawan, and Manila cited damage from a clash with Chinese vessels, ailing crew, food shortage, and rough weather.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela stated that they haven’t lost or abandoned anything, and Escoda Shoal is part of their exclusive economic zone.

China claims most parts of the South China Sea, including many reefs, despite the international tribunal’s stating otherwise.

Beijing has been aggressive towards the government of the Philippines and Manila’s Navy in the past months, ramming, blocking, using water cannons, and even trying to board its naval vessels to cause damage and injuries to the crew.

The dispute over the South China Sea has sparked concern that the U.S., an ally of Manila, could intervene.

China has tried to prevent the resupply of ships to the point that BRP Teresa Magbuana’s water desalinator became unusable, forcing the crew to depend on rainwater for drinking for over a month.

They also ate porridge for three weeks, and after the ship had to leave, China’s Coast Guard said that it had undisputed sovereignty over Sabina Shoal.

It warned Manila to stop inciting propaganda, stating China would carry out rights protection and law enforcement activities in the sea.

Tarriela stated that withdrawal from Sabina Shoal was not a defeat, and he rejected comparisons to the Scarborough Shoal that Manila lost to China in a standoff in 2012.

He mentioned that China cannot prevent the Philippines from deploying its vessels around the 137 km shoal. He also added that the Coast Guard will do whatever it takes to prevent China from taking over and occupying the Escoda Shoal.

He further added that another Coast Guard vessel would proceed to the shoal without going into detail. Sabina Shoal is 140 km west of Palawan and 1200 km from Hainan Island, the closest major Chinese landmass.

References: First Post, lokmattimes