The Sabina Shoal is a contentious location in the South China Sea, and the Philippines has lately taken action in reaction to Chinese incursions there. In light of the rising tensions, the Philippine Coast Guard has sent ships to observe what it calls China’s “artificial island” development.

The Philippine Coast Guard has sent ships to the Sabina Shoal, or Escoda as it is locally known, to observe and record what are supposedly China’s unauthorised actions, according to remarks from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s office. There have been reports of small-scale land reclamation initiatives, which could be related to building activity. China is reportedly the main culprit behind these reports.

Although the Chinese embassy in Manila has not yet addressed these claims, the position taken by the Philippine government on the subject has the potential to intensify tensions between the two countries. The expulsion of Chinese ambassadors has been proposed by national security experts in the Philippines in response to claims of a leaked phone conversation in which the parties involved discussed the maritime issue.

Several countries have long staked territorial claims in the South China Sea, notably Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Philippines. The Permanent Court of Arbitration’s 2016 decision that Beijing’s claims lacked legal basis under international law further highlighted the fact that China’s claims, which include practically the entire important waterway, have been a source of contention.

The development of military outposts on reclaimed islands has intensified worries over China’s substantial land reclamation initiatives in the region. Concerned about the presence of Chinese research and navy ships near the Sabina Shoal, the Philippine authorities are looking into allegations of coral destruction and dumping.

The Sabina Shoal is being closely observed by the Philippine Coast Guard, who have sent a vessel there to record any suspicious activity, including the possible disposal of crushed corals. At the same time that an inflow of Chinese warships has been detected in the area, mounds of dead and crushed coral have been discovered, prompting this action.

In order to determine what caused the coral damage, the Philippine Coast Guard plans to collaborate with marine scientists to perform more examinations. The Sabina Shoal is an important meeting place for resupply operations to adjacent Filipino forces, especially at the Second Thomas Shoal—a location where maritime conflicts with China have been common—so the Philippines intends to keep a constant presence there.