China’s opportunity? Philippines’ Sabina Shoal withdrawal sparks backlash

Defence analysts fear that the BRP Teresa Magbanua’s withdrawal could embolden China, which already has a significant presence in the area

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The Philippine coastguard ship BRP Teresa Magbanua, which was withdrawn from Sabina Shoal over the weekend. Photo: Handout

Published: 12:00pm, 16 Sep 2024Updated: 12:35pm, 16 Sep 2024

The Philippines’ recent withdrawal of a coastguard vessel from a disputed South China Sea shoal opens the door for China to further assert its dominance and potentially accelerate its controversial reclamation operations, analysts say – warning that the ship needs to be quickly replaced.

Manila recalled the BRP Teresa Magbanua from Sabina Shoal over the weekend after a five-month deployment, citing bad weather, depleted supplies and the need to evacuate personnel requiring medical care.

The vessel returned to Puerto Princesa Port in Palawan on Sunday to a hero’s welcome, but not without incident: four of its 63 crew members required hospital treatment for dehydration.

Analysts say the sudden withdrawal could allow for the rotation and resupply of troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre, a WWII-era ship deliberately grounded by the Philippines at another disputed South China Sea feature, Second Thomas Shoal.

A member of the Philippine coastguard requiring medical care is carried off the BRP Teresa Magbanua after its arrival at a port in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard/Handout via AFP

Sherwin Ona, a political-science professor at De La Salle University in Manila, expressed concern that China would exploit the situation.