Philippines vessel from contested South China Sea shoal returns to port


MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines is returning to port a coast guard vessel anchored in the contested Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea after a five-month deployment as its mission is accomplished, the maritime council said on Sunday.

Since April, coast guard vessel Teresa Magbanua was deployed to monitor what Manila suspects to be China's small-scale reclamation activities in the area. Its presence has angered Beijing, turning the shoal into the latest flashpoint in the contested waters.

"After more than five months at sea, where she carried out her sentinel duties against overwhelming odds, BRP Teresa Magbanua is now sailing back to her homeport with her mission accomplished," Lucas Bersamin, executive secretary and co-chairman of the National Maritime Council said in a statement.

Bersamin said Teresa Magbauna's return was necessary to the medical needs of its crew and to undergo repairs.

There was no immediate comment from the Chinese embassy in Manila.

The move followed high-level talks between Manila and Beijing in China last week where the Philippines reaffirmed its position on Sabina and China reiterated its demand that the vessel be withdrawn.

The area, which China refers to as Xianbin Reef and the Philippines as the Escoda Shoal, lies 150 km (93 miles) west of the Philippine province of Palawan, well within the country's exclusive economic zone.

Manila and Beijing have traded accusations of intentional ramming of each others' vessels in a series of clashes near Sabina last month, just after reaching a pact on resupply missions to a beached Filipino naval ship in the Second Thomas Shoal.

China claims sovereignty over most of the China Sea, overlapping into maritime zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

In 2016 the Hague arbitration tribunal voided China's expansive and historical claims, a decision Beijing rejects.

(Reporting by Karen Lema; editing by Miral Fahmy) - Reuters

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Philippine , Vessel , South China Sea , Return , Port

   

Next In Aseanplus News

Vietnam distinguishes itself as one of fastest-growing economies in East Asia-Pacific, says World Bank
Man in Singapore jailed for assaulting his father and molesting a woman in separate incidents
JDT storm into Malaysia Cup semis with 4-0 win over KL City
Indonesians embrace return of plundered treasure from the Dutch
Pregnant Thai star’s robust performance defended by fans – ‘women can shine at any stage’
Fans rejoice despite travelling woes to KL as Lions secure Asean Championship semifinal spot
The future of gaming is Gen-Z�on smartphones earnings millions
Indochina region of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia - rising from shadows to shine as Asean's premier tourist destination
Weightlifting Taiwan granny, 90, garners cheers, health benefits at gym
Arahmaiani: the Indonesian artist with a thousand lives

Others Also Read