BRP Teresa Magbanua left Sabina Shoal

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 1:46 p.m.) — The flagship of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), BRP Teresa Magbanua, has left the Sabina Shoal, the National Maritime Council confirmed on Sunday, September 15.

USNI News, a US naval news agency earlier reported that the PCG flagship departed Sabina Shoal, also known as Escoda Shoal, transiting to Sulu Sea. 

In a statement on Sunday afternoon, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the BRP Teresa Magbanua's "repositioning" was to attend to the medical needs of the crew and undergo repairs.

"After she has been resupplied and repaired, and her crew recharged, she will be in tip-top shape to resume her mission, along with other PCG and AFP assets, as defenders of our sovereignty," Bersamin's statement read, as released by the Presidential Communications Office.

The BRP Teresa Magbanua had been stationed at Sabina Shoal since April 15 to maintain Philippine military presence in the area due to increasing presence of Chinese maritime assets. 

The extended patrol was part of efforts to deter Chinese incursions around the shoal.

This withdrawal came after the National Security Council (NSC) said the nation would maintain a presence in Sabina Shoal despite China’s request to withdraw Philippine vessels.

During its patrols, the BRP Teresa Magbanua encountered multiple instances of harassment.

On August 31, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel reportedly rammed the ship, damaging its stern.

The PCG flagship also faced water cannon attacks and blockades during resupply missions.

A September 10 report from the Philippine Navy revealed that at least 207 Chinese vessels have swarmed various areas in the West Philippine Sea.

China has been harassing Philippine maritime vessels and aircraft in areas of the West Philippine Sea.

China's continued harassment of Philippine maritime vessels and aircraft stems from its refusal to recognize the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated its nine-dash line claim and affirmed the Philippines' sovereign rights over areas within 200 nautical miles of its coastline.