The Philippines will continue to deploy vessels to the disputed Sabina Reef in the South China Sea, the country's coast guard said after a Philippine ship returned to port after a five-month deployment there, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
"We will maintain our presence in these waters," Philippine Coast Guard (CGB) spokesman Jay Tariela said at a press conference.
The FBO vessel, Teresa Magbanua, was sent to Sabina in April to monitor what Manila believes to be China's artificial island-building activities. He returned to port on Sunday.
Tariella said the ship's return was not related to China's request for Manila to withdraw its ship, but for it to be repaired and to meet the crew's medical needs.
Sabina Reef, which China calls Xiangbin Reef and the Philippines Escoda Shoal, is located west of the Philippine province of Palawan, in the country's exclusive economic zone.
"Regardless of the size of the ship, regardless of the number of ships, the primary goal and commitment of the commandant of the FBO is to make sure that there will be a Coast Guard presence in the shoal at all times,'' Tarriella added.
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Yesterday, China's coast guard said it will continue to carry out law enforcement activities in waters under Beijing's jurisdiction in accordance with the law and protect its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
Beijing claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea. Its claims overlap with areas claimed by the sovereigns of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. In 2016, an arbitration court in The Hague invalidated China's expansive and historic claims - a decision that the Chinese government rejects, Reuters recalls.