In an effort to bolster Manila’s claims to the region and thwart Beijing’s attempts to seize it, the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua has been anchored inside Sabina Shoal in the disputed South China Sea since April.
According to the official Xinhua News Agency, the China Coast Guard reported that a Philippine vessel left Sabina Shoal on September 14 after staying there for about five months in a move that China considered illegal.
China Coast Guard spokesperson Liu Dejun told Xinhua that China had taken legal action against Philippine vessel 9701 after the country’s repeated attempts to arrange for the vessel’s replenishment had failed.
In an effort to bolster Manila’s claims to the region and thwart China’s attempts to seize it, the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua has been anchored inside Sabina Shoal since April.
Beijing has persisted in asserting its claims over nearly the whole South China Sea, even after an international tribunal declared that its claim lacked legal support.
At least three recent collisions between Philippine and Chinese vessels have occurred close to Sabina Shoal, which is 1,200 kilometers from China’s closest major landmass, Hainan island, and 140 kilometers (86 miles) from Palawan, the western island of the Philippines.
One of the collisions involved damage to the freeboard and bridge wing of the Teresa Magbanua.
“While on deployment, she faced an encirclement by a larger flotilla of intruders, persevered through adverse weather, and her crew managed to survive on reduced daily provisions,” a statement released on Sunday by National Maritime Council Chairperson Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin stated.
He continued, saying that Teresa Magbanua “carried out her sentinel duties against overwhelming odds”.
High-level discussions
The Filipino sailors on board the ship were severely short on food and other supplies last month when Chinese boats prevented a resupply trip.
Beijing reaffirmed its demand that the Philippine vessel be removed during high-level negotiations on maritime concerns earlier this week with Philippine and Chinese officials.
Reminiscent of 2012, when Beijing seized control of Scarborough Shoal, another strategically significant feature situated approximately 240 kilometers west of Luzon, the main island of the Philippines, is the current situation.
Then, following a tense two-month maritime confrontation, Manila withdrew its ships.
