Kimberly Capuyan

China said on September 15 that it has "indisputable sovereignty" over the disputed Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) flagship BRP Teresa Magbanua left the area.

Photo Courtesy of Inquirer.net/Manila Standard.

“China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Qundao, including Xianbin Jiao (Sabina Shoal) and the adjacent waters,” Liu Dejun, Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) spokesperson, said.

“The Chinese maritime police will continue to carry out rights protection and law enforcement activities in the waters under China’s jurisdiction in accordance with the law, and resolutely safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” he added.

According to PCG, BRP Teresa Magbanua arrived at a port in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Sunday after being stationed at Escoda Shoal, or Sabina Shoal, since April 15.

In a statement, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the BRP Teresa Magbanua was “repositioned” to provide medical care to its personnel and undergo reparation.

"After she has been resupplied and repaired, and her crew recharged, she will be in tip-top shape to resume her mission, along with other PCG and AFP assets, as defenders of our sovereignty," Bersamin said.

Meanwhile, PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela revealed that the flagship was “compelled” to withdraw due to unfavorable weather conditions, lack of daily supplies, and structural damage from the August 31 ramming incident.

“While committed to her mission at Escoda Shoal, BRP Teresa Magbanua was compelled to return to port due to unfavorable weather conditions, depleted supplies of daily necessities, and the need to evacuate personnel requiring medical care,” Tarriela wrote on X.

“This has been further complicated by the structural damage to the vessel resulting from the deliberate ramming by the China Coast Guard on August 31, 2024,” he added.

Four personnel who reportedly suffered from stomach pain, dehydration, and arthritis were assisted by authorities around 2:22 p.m. upon their return to the port. 

Last August 26, 40 Chinese vessels blocked two PCG ships on a resupply mission to the Filipino personnel on board the BRP Teresa Magbanua.

Earlier this week, on September 2, China reiterated its demand for the withdrawal of the Philippines from Escoda Shoal during the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism Meeting held in Beijing.