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

Philippines Refuses to Give Up Sabina Shoal in South China Sea Dispute with China

The Philippines has made it clear that it will not give up on Sabina Shoal, a reef in the South China Sea, despite pressure from China. This statement comes just two days after a Philippine Coast Guard ship stationed at the shoal was pulled out, following a month-long standoff with China.

In April, the Philippines sent one of its biggest Coast Guard ships, the BRP Teresa Magbanua, to Sabina Shoal. This was to prevent China from building an artificial island there, as China has done on other reefs in the South China Sea. However, the Philippine ship was later sent back to Palawan, one of the country’s islands. The Philippines said the ship had suffered damage from clashes with Chinese vessels, the crew was unwell, and there were shortages of food and fresh water due to bad weather.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela assured the public that the Philippines had not lost or abandoned anything. He emphasized that Sabina Shoal is part of the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), meaning it is within the country’s sea territory and control.

Ongoing Dispute Over the South China Sea

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including many reefs and shoals, despite a 2016 ruling by an international tribunal that rejected these claims. The South China Sea is important for global trade, and many countries, including the Philippines, rely on its waters for fishing and other resources.

In recent months, China has acted aggressively toward the Philippines in this area. Chinese ships have blocked Philippine vessels, used water cannons, and even rammed ships to damage them and hurt the crew members. In some cases, Chinese ships have tried to board Philippine naval vessels, adding to the tension between the two countries.

This situation is particularly worrying because the United States, a close ally of the Philippines, could get involved in the conflict. Any clash between China and the U.S. over the South China Sea could have serious consequences for the region and beyond.

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Difficulties Faced by the Philippine Coast Guard

During the standoff, China tried to prevent the BRP Teresa Magbanua from getting fresh supplies. As a result, the ship’s water purification system broke, leaving the crew to rely on rainwater for drinking. They also had to eat porridge for three weeks because food supplies ran out. These tough conditions forced the ship to leave Sabina Shoal, but not before China claimed that it had complete control over the area. The Chinese Coast Guard warned the Philippines to stop spreading “propaganda” and threatened to enforce its own laws in the sea.

Despite these challenges, the Philippines continues to assert its rights over Sabina Shoal. Commodore Jay Tarriela made it clear that withdrawing the ship from the shoal was not a loss or a sign of weakness. He rejected any comparison to a similar situation in 2012, when the Philippines lost control of Scarborough Shoal after a standoff with China.

Tarriela stated that China cannot stop the Philippines from sending its ships to the shoal, which is just 137 km from Palawan, a Philippine island, and much closer to the Philippines than to China. The nearest Chinese landmass, Hainan Island, is over 1,200 km away.

Philippines to Continue Defending Sabina Shoal

Despite China’s actions, the Philippines is determined to defend its rights in the South China Sea. Tarriela said that the Philippine Coast Guard will continue to send ships to Sabina Shoal to prevent China from taking control. He did not give details about when the next ship would arrive but assured the public that the Philippines will do whatever it takes to protect its territory.

Sabina Shoal is crucial for the Philippines, not just for its natural resources but also for its strategic location. As tensions continue to rise, the world watches closely to see how the dispute over the South China Sea will unfold.

The Philippines’ stand against China sends a strong message that, despite the challenges, it will not back down from defending its rights in its own waters.