Philippines to maintain vessel presence in contested Sabina Shoal amid Rising South China Sea tensions
- In Reports
- 11:32 AM, Sep 16, 2024
- Myind Staff
The Philippines will continue deploying vessels to the disputed Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) announced on Monday. This comes after a PCG ship returned from a five-month mission in the area. "We will sustain presence over these waters," said PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela during a press conference.
The PCG vessel, Teresa Magbanua, had been deployed to Sabina Shoal in April to monitor what Manila suspects to be small-scale land reclamation activities by China. On Sunday, the ship returned to port for repairs and to address the medical needs of the crew. Tarriela emphasized that the return of the vessel was unrelated to China's call for its withdrawal, underscoring that the deployment was part of routine operations.
Sabina Shoal, known to China as Xianbin Reef and to the Philippines as Escoda Shoal, lies west of Palawan, within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The area is part of the broader South China Sea, a region that has become a flashpoint for territorial disputes between China and several Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines. "Regardless of what size of vessel, regardless of how many vessels, the main objective and the commitment of the (PCG) commandant... is to make sure that at any one time, there will be a coast guard presence in the shoal," Tarriela stated, affirming the Philippines' stance on maintaining a consistent presence in the contested waters.
China, which claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, has faced international pushback over its territorial ambitions. On Sunday, China's coast guard issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to law enforcement activities in waters it considers under its jurisdiction, adding that it will continue to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea overlap with the maritime zones of several Southeast Asian nations, including Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. In 2016, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled against China’s expansive claims, concluding that they lacked a legal basis. Despite this, Beijing has rejected the tribunal's decision and continues to assert its control over the region.
The ongoing tension over the South China Sea remains a critical issue in the region, as countries like the Philippines continue to assert their rights within their EEZ while seeking international support to challenge China's claims.
Image source: India Today
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