BRP Teresa Magbanua crew survived on lugaw, aircon water

The crew of BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) endured hunger and thirst for weeks after Chinese forces blocked resupply missions to the Philippine Coast Guard ship guarding the Sabina Shoal.

According to Joseph Morong’s exclusive report in 24 Oras on Monday, over 60 crew members of the vessel guarding the Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea had to make do with lugaw or rice porridge for three weeks.

“Rice porridge na lang po…Paminta and asin, sir, kasi ‘yun na lang naiwan sa amin,” said Ensign Janey Anne Paloma.

(We just ate rice porridge… Seasoned with pepper and salt, because they were the only things we had left.)

“Meron po kaming mga tropa na nahihilo kasi gutom, kumakalam yung tiyan sa gabi,” she added, noting that they sometimes choose to sleep to forget their hunger.

(Some of our colleagues were dizzy because of hunger, especially at night.)

Although they can filter seawater via a freshwater generator, the crew also collected rainwater or even drank condensed water from the ship’s air conditioning unit.

“Naka-discover yung chief engineer namin na pwede naming inumin yung tubig from our air conditioning unit, yung na-condense na tubig po doon,” said Paloma.

(Our chief engineer discovered that we can drink the condensed water from the air conditioning unit.)

Some supplies were airdropped last August 28 but this was insufficient for everyone onboard. It was the only time the Magbanua was resupplied after she was ordered to the area last April.

Due to the limited supplies and existing conditions during the five-month long deployment, four crew members became ill with gastroenteritis, dehydration and gout.

“Kapag tumagal pa kami, siguro doon mas marami na ang magkakasakit dahil na-expose na kami sa tubig na hindi healthy,” said the Magbanua’s captain, Lieutenant Commander Efren Duran, Jr. “May sumusuka na, may bowel movements na iba na talaga.”

(If we stayed longer, more people would probably become sick because we have been exposed to unhealthy water…Some of us were vomiting already and had poor bowel movements.)

Aside from these deprivations, the safety of BRP Teresa Magbanua’s crew was also jeopardized after a China Coast Guard ship intentionally and repeatedly rammed into the Filipino vessel last August 31. 

One of the damaged portions was near the Magbanua’s engine room.

“Kapag ito nadali, sir, dead on the water, pwede na kaming, may rason na silang i-salvage kami kasi dead on the water, pwede kaming hilahin,” said Duran.

(If this was heavily damaged, we would have been dead in the water. They will have a reason to salvage the ship since we had no power, we could have been towed away.)

The BRP Teresa Magbanua was reported to have departed Escoda Shoal on Sunday after being on station in the disputed area since April 15.

“Humihingi kami ng tawad, sir. Kailangang makabalik yung barko para sa tauhan,” said Duran, who was near tears when he reported to his superior officers after his ship returned to Puerto Princesa in Palawan on Sunday.

(I ask for forgiveness, sir. The ship needed to return because of my crew’s welfare.)

The Philippine Coast Guard, however, said it understood the situation of the Magbanua’s crew.

“The decision for you to reposition yourself is to ensure that we are able to sustain our ability to secure this part of the country in the long haul,” said PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan. “You have accomplished your mission.” —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News