Philippines Says ‘We Have Not Lost’ South China Sea Reef After Pullout

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The Philippines insisted on Monday that it had not given up a disputed South China Sea reef two days after it pulled out a ship stationed there following a months-long standoff with rival claimant China.

“We have not lost anything,” Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela told a news conference, vowing that “there will be a coast guard presence at Escoda Shoal” after the withdrawal of its flagship BRP Teresa Magbanua from the reef, known internationally as Sabina Shoal.

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