BRP Teresa Magbanua leaves Escoda Shoal

MANILA, Philippines — As Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)’s vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua returned to Palawan to undergo “needed repairs,” the National Maritime Council (NMC) yesterday said the Philippines would maintain its presence over Escoda Shoal to continue to assert its sovereign rights and jurisdiction and monitor illegal activities in the area.

In a statement, NMC chairman and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed reports that Teresa Magbanua has left Escoda Shoal – a critical area within the West Philippine Sea (WPS) – after more than five months of being deployed there.

“BRP Teresa Magbanua is now sailing back to her homeport with her mission accomplished,” Bersamin said.

Escoda Shoal lies 75 nautical miles from Palawan and is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Chinese ships had tried to prevent resupply missions to the Teresa Magbanua, the PCG’s biggest and most expensive ship.

The Teresa Magbanua returned to port due to worsening weather conditions, depleted supplies, and the need to medically evacuate four personnel suffering from various ailments, including stomach pain, dehydration and arthritis. 
According to Bersamin, the repositioning will allow the Teresa Magbanua to address the medical needs of some of her crew, undergo needed repairs, and allow her crew to enjoy a well-deserved furlough and reunion with their loved ones.

“After she has been resupplied and repaired, and her crew recharged, she will be in tiptop shape to resume her mission, along with other PCG and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) assets, as defenders of our sovereignty,” he said.

In an interview, NMC spokesman Alexander Lopez declined to provide details on which vessel would take over the role of Teresa Magbanua at Escoda Shoal, saying these are “operational matters.”

Lopez also stressed it was the decision of the PCG to pull out its vessel from the shoal, not because of China’s demands.

“No. This a unilateral action of the PCG considering the admin and operational factors mentioned in the NMC statement,” he told reporters.

Lopez said some of the ship’s crew also need immediate medical treatment.

“Our presence will be sustained and we will keep on