Says 22 Chinese boats still in vicinity

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) yesterday said it is not withdrawing BRP Teresa Magbanua from Escoda Shoal, saying the damage sustained by the vessel after it was harassed and rammed by Chinese vessels last Saturday is not enough to order its pull out.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, the PCG’s spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, said that “it is the commitment of the commandant, Adm. (Ronnie Gil) Gavan, to the President that no matter what happens, the Philippine Coast Guard will maintain our presence and we are not going to withdraw our coast vessel there.”

He said that in case BRP Teresa Magbanua is pulled out from the shoal, it will be replaced by another PCG vessel.

He said the damage sustained by the PCG vessel included a hole on its portside and “some damage on its physical structure.”

“But the commanding officer was certain enough to say that all these incurred damages cannot compel (BR)) Teresa Magbanua to withdraw from Escoda Shoal,” said Tarriela.

On Saturday, Tarriela said Chinese vessels harassed and rammed BRP Teresa Magbanua, which has been deployed at the shoal, also known as Sabina Shoal, three times, even though there was no provocation from the PCG ship. No one was reported injured among the crew members due to the incident.

Tarriela said the PCG will soon present the full details of last Saturday’s incident to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) and to the National Maritime Council (NMC).

“From there, we can come up with policy recommendations and actions that we can take for their (NTF-WPS and NMC) for their appreciation and eventual approval,” he said.

He said the morale of the crew of BRP Teresa Magbanua remains high.

“They still have the high spirit to comply with the instruction of the (PCG) commandant (Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan). Regardless of the bullying, aggressive action of the Chinese Coast Guard, we are still going to hold the line and maintain our presence in the area,” said Tarriela.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila blamed the PCG for the incident, questioning why BRP Teresa Magbanua has been loitering in the area since April this year.

‘’Why has PCG 9701 stayed there since