Philippines to Send Replacement Ship to South China Sea’s Contested Reef

The Philippines said on Sunday that it will dispatch another ship to Sabina Shoal after one of its largest coast guard vessels completed a nearly five-month mission at a disputed atoll in the South China Sea. Alexander Lopez, spokesperson of the National Maritime Council, confirmed the return of Teresa Magbanua, which was sent to Sabina Shoal to monitor what officials referred to in a May statement as “illegal activities” by Beijing. Lopez highlighted Manila’s commitment to maintaining a continuous presence at the Sabina Shoal, which is asserted by the Chinese regime as part of its sweeping territory claims in the South China Sea....