Philippine coastguard ship ‘heading for disputed South China Sea reef’
- Manila is sending one of its most advanced vessels to relieve its sister ship at the Sabina Shoal, according to Beijing-based monitors
The Philippines is sending a new coastguard vessel to strengthen its hold over a disputed reef in the South China Sea, according to Chinese monitors who predicted a “forceful response” from Beijing.
The BRP Melchora Aquino is currently en route to the Sabina Shoal and is expected to arrive on Friday, according to the Beijing-based South China Sea Probing Initiative (SCSPI).
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The uninhabited reef in the Spratly Islands has been the scene of a stand-off between the two sides since April, when one of the most advanced Philippine coastguard ships, the BRP Teresa Magbanua, arrived at the site.
Manila said the ship had been sent there after receiving reports that China was trying to carry out land reclamation works.
Beijing rejected the accusation and said the Philippines was trying to deliver building materials to establish a permanent outpost there – something that was in turn denied.
The SCSPI said the Melchora Aquino was likely to swap places with the Teresa Magbanua to maintain Philippine control over the reef.
“[The latest deployment] will only deepen China’s suspicion that the Philippines wants to permanently occupy the Sabina Shoal,” said Hu Bo, the SCSPI director. “So China is likely to take resolute action.”
