Chinese coastguard alleges ‘illegal intrusion’ by Philippines near disputed Sabina Shoal
- Third face-off in a week sees Philippine vessels accused of ‘dangerously’ approaching Chinese coastguard ships on normal patrol at shoal
Hours earlier, both sides had put out statements blaming the other after their vessels collided near the shoal on Sunday, in a repeat of a similar face-off in the area on August 19.
A Chinese coastguard statement published on Monday afternoon said Philippine coastguard vessels 4409 and 4411 had “illegally intruded” into waters near Sabina Shoal “without the permission of the Chinese government”.
“They continuously and dangerously approached Chinese coastguard ships conducting normal navigation,” the statement said.
The Chinese coastguard responded with control measures against the Philippine vessels involved, in accordance with the law and regulations, it added.
01:57
South China Sea: China, Philippines trade blame after second collision at Sabina Shoal
While the Chinese statement did not specify when the incident took place, the Philippine coastguard announced early on Monday that it was sending two ships – the BRP Cape Engaño and BRP Cabra – on “a humanitarian mission” to the BRP Teresa Magbanua.
The hull numbers for the two ships are MRRV-4411 and the MRRV-4409, respectively.
Sabina Shoal, claimed by China as Xianbin Reef and as Escoda Shoal by the Philippines, is controlled by neither country.
The coral atoll is part of the disputed Spratly Islands, called the Nansha Islands by China, which claims most of the South China Sea.
Sabina Shoal has emerged as a third potential flashpoint between rival claimants Beijing and Manila after the Second Thomas and Scarborough shoals – the scene of frequent and intense stand-offs over the past year.
The Teresa Magbanua, which is one of Manila’s most advanced coastguard ships, has been anchored near Sabina Shoal since April, according to the Philippine news outlet Rappler.
Beijing has also deployed several vessels, including its biggest coastguard ship, to patrol the area. The Philippines has said it will not move its ship despite intimidation from the Chinese “monster ship”, which is five times larger.
Manila says the Teresa Magbanua was sent to monitor what it calls China’s illegal land reclamation activities at Sabina Shoal – an accusation denied by Beijing.
01:55
Beijing denies Manila’s claim that Chinese ships making ‘artificial island’ in South China Sea
China said that in Sunday’s incident a Philippine ship delivering supplies to a coastguard vessel anchored at the shoal “refused to accept control” by a Chinese coastguard ship and “deliberately collided” with it.
Filipino crew members who had fallen into the water following the collision were promptly rescued by the Chinese coastguard, a spokesman said.
But Manila disputed this account, accusing Chinese vessels instead of taking “aggressive and dangerous” action, including ramming and using water cannons on a ship carrying out a “humanitarian mission” to supply fishermen with fuel, food and medical supplies.
The incident came six days after the first reported collision between the two sides near Sabina Shoal, when two Philippine vessels on a resupply operation – including the BRP Cape Engaño – sustained damage. This was followed by both sides trading blame as they did again on Sunday.
Sabina Shoal holds potential strategic importance for the Philippines as a staging hub for resupplying forces stationed on its grounded warship at the Manila-controlled Second Thomas Shoal, which is also a part of the Spratlys.
