The Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua has left Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, according to a report on Friday by USNI News.
The BRP Teresa Magbanua was tracked by AIS data posted on social media leaving Sabina Shoal on Friday then sailing in the Sulu Sea, the report said.
GMA Integrated News is confirming the report with Philippine officials as of posting time.
The BRP Teresa Magbanua has been in Sabina Shoal, also known as Escoda Shoal, since April 15.
The PCG said that the dumping of crushed corals near Escoda Shoal may be in preparation for China’s reclamation activities to build structures on top of the maritime feature, which is much closer to Palawan than the contested Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
The PCG also said last May it is committed to sustaining a presence in the West Philippine Sea to ensure China does not carry out reclamation activities at Escoda Shoal.
Last June, a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel and two Chinese maritime militia vessels reportedly shadowed and sailed around the BRP Teresa Magbanua at the Escoda Shoal, according to the monitoring of the SeaLight security think tank.
In August, a CCG vessel “intentionally” and repeatedly rammed the BRP Teresa Magbanua, punching a hole on the ship’s hull that was large enough for a person to go through.
Located 75 nautical miles or about 140 kilometers off Palawan, Sabina Shoal is a coral reef formation with a central lagoon surrounded by discontinuous shallow sections.
It is considered to be within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. —KG, GMA Integrated News
Be the first to comment