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Philippines vessel from objected to South China Sea shoal returns to port

The Philippines is returning to port a coast guard vessel anchored in the contested Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea after a fivemonth release as its objective is achieved, the maritime council stated on Sunday.

Given that April, coast guard vessel Teresa Magbanua was released to monitor what Manila thinks to be China's small-scale reclamation activities in the area. Its existence has outraged Beijing, turning the shoal into the current flashpoint in the objected to waters.

After more than 5 months at sea, where she carried out her guard responsibilities versus overwhelming chances, BRP Teresa Magbanua is now sailing back to her homeport with her objective accomplished, Lucas Bersamin, executive secretary and co-chairman of the National Maritime Council said in a. statement.

Bersamin said Teresa Magbauna's return was needed to the. medical requirements of its crew and to undergo repairs.

There was no instant comment from the Chinese embassy in. Manila.

The relocation followed high-level talks in between Manila and. Beijing in China last week where the Philippines declared its. position on Sabina and China repeated its need that the. vessel be withdrawn.

The area, which China refers to as Xianbin Reef and the. Philippines as the Escoda Shoal, lies 150 km (93 miles) west of. the Philippine province of Palawan, well within the country's. exclusive financial zone.

Manila and Beijing have traded allegations of intentional. ramming of each others' vessels in a series of clashes near. Sabina last month, just after reaching a pact on resupply. objectives to a beached Filipino naval ship in the Second Thomas. Shoal.

China claims sovereignty over the majority of the China Sea,. overlapping into maritime zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia,. the Philippines and Vietnam.

In 2016 the Hague arbitration tribunal voided China's. expansive and historical claims, a choice Beijing rejects.

(source: Reuters)