Philippine Coast Guard ship withdraws from contested reef amid South China Sea standoff

A Philippine Coast Guard ship in a maritime standoff with China over a disputed reef has withdrawn from the South China Sea and returned to its home port.

The BRP Teresa Magbanua on September 15 returned to the port of Palawan after being stationed in the contested Sabina Shoal.

Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, said he recommended the withdrawal as the ship's crew were running 'critically low' on provisions.

He said to local media: 'I made the recommendation, I made all the consultations necessary to come up with a sound decision. And I think we've made the right take.'

An armada of Chinese militia boats and China Coast Guard vessels have been surrounding the BRP Teresa Magbanua since August, cutting off Philippine resupply missions. The vessel - the largest in the Philippine Coast Guard's arsenal - was also rammed thrice by a China Coast Guard ship on August 31.

Local media reported that upon docking on September 15, four of the 60 PCG sailors were rushed to a hospital for dehydration.

Despite the retreat, authorities said the move was just a 'repositioning', and another vessel will be sent to the Sabina Shoal as a replacement.

Commandant Galvan said: 'We did not withdraw. We repositioned the vessel. We will maintain our presence in all of our exclusive economic zones including Escoda Shoal.'

China Coast Guard Liu Dejun claimed China took action in the disputed shoal 'in accordance with the law.'

He said: 'China took control measures on the No. 9701 ship in accordance with the law, and the Philippines' repeated attempts to organize forced replenishment failed.'

Expansionist China currently lays claim over almost the entire South China Sea, one of the world's busiest sea lanes. But a United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016 deemed its claims groundless.

The Communist rogue state - accused of genocide for its crimes against the Uyghur population - has been steadily increasing its influence in recent years through investment in developing countries.