AFP: PH resupplies BRP Teresa Magbanua with helicopter

The Philippines has resupplied the crew of the BRP Teresa Magbanua stationed in the Escoda Shoal with the use of a helicopter, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner said on Thursday.

Brawner thus said after he was asked when the Philippine military would ask for US assistance while the Chinese block rotation and resupply missions in the West Philippine Sea.

"So when our troops are already hungry, they don't have any supplies anymore because our resupply missions have been blocked and that they're on the verge of dying, then that's the time we're going to seek the help of the United States," Brawner said.

"But then again, we still have a lot of options," he added.

"If you look at the recent mission of the Coast Guard for instance, when they were trying to bring supplies to the BRP Teresa Magbanua in Escoda Shoal, they were blocked several times, they attempted more than once but then finally they brought supplies using their helicopter," Brawner said.

"So that's one way of us using or exhausting all the options that are available to us," he added. 

On Tuesday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the essential supplies on the vessel were at a critical level after Chinese vessels blocked several resupply missions at sea.

“Based on the notice to all mariners that the PCG released (on Monday), highlighted the fact that there is a need for us to do a humanitarian mission to provide supplies on board BRP Teresa Magbanua,” PCG spokesperson to WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said on Tuesday.

“It just goes to show that the essential supplies and food requirement for us to feed our crew on board BRP Teresa Magbanua is already critical,” he added.

China Coast Guard statement

China Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu said that on August 28, a Philippine H-145 helicopter dropped supplies to the Philippine Coast Guard ship No. 9701, which was illegally stranded in Xianbin Reef, China.

"China monitored the entire process and dealt with it in accordance with regulations. The Philippines' risky behavior can easily lead to accidents at sea and in the air," Yu said in a statement.

He added that "the Philippines has repeatedly attempted to resupply ship No. 9701 through coast guard ships, official ships, fishing boats, etc., but all failed. Philippine Ship No. 9701 can maneuver and evacuate on its own, and related problems can be easily solved."

"We are telling the Philippines to immediately stop its adventurous behavior and sensationalism, immediately withdraw the 9701 ship on its own, and not to misjudge the situation or escalate the situation. Otherwise, the Philippines will be fully responsible for all consequences," according to the statement.

"China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including Xianbin Reef, and its adjacent waters."

"The Chinese Coast Guard is fully prepared to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," he added. — NB/BAP, GMA Integrated News

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