BRP Teresa Magbanua commander: We're doing this for the world

In tears, Lieutenant Efren Duran Jr., gave a salute and apologized to Philippine Coast Guard Palawan District Commander Captain Dennis Labay after his ship, BRP Teresa Magbanua, returned to Palawan after a five month duty at Escoda Shoal (International name: Sabina Shoal), Sunday.

“Humihingi kami ng tawad sir, kailangang makabalik ‘yung barko para sa tauhan, (I’m begging for forgiveness, we had to return for the sake of the crew), ” Duran addressed Labay.

Duran was reporting to the Philippine Coast Guard command led by Coast Guard commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan who flew to Palawan over the weekend to welcome his men.

In response, Gavan said he considers the tour of duty of the more than 60 personnel of Magbanua a successful mission, denying at the same time that it was in response to China’s call to withdraw the vessel.

“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. I’d like to emphasize to you, Lt. Duran, that you have accomplished your mission,” Gavan said.

Terrible weather and men succumbing to sickness were two of the reasons cited by Gavan why he made the decision to “reposition,” not withdraw, the Philippine vessel at a time China is asserting more aggressively its position in the West Philippine Sea otherwise known as the Philippines 200-nautical miles exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Four personnel, two of them being carried out of stretchers, were immediately evacuated after BRP Teresa Magbanua docked at the port. All four were all being administered with IV fluids.

The four are out of danger and are currently recuperating in Magbanua.

Rice porridge, salt  and water from aircon

For several weeks, the more than sixty personnel of Magbanua subsisted on rice porridge and salt after resupply missions were blocked by China forces.

The last successful resupply mission was done via air.

The more than sixty crew of Magbanua also resorted collecting rainwater and water that condensed from the air-conditioning unit to drink.

Back at the port on Sunday, the PCG prepared a fitting welcome: a boodlefight of lechon, rice, banana, and softdrinks in what Gavan jokingly called a “reintroduction into food.”

The Magbanua personnel will all have to be checked medically, the ship will be repaired, as the Philippines maintains it will not abandon and will continue to protect everything in its EEZ.

Another Scarborough?

Gavan assured skeptics that Escoda Shoal will not turn into another Scarborough Shoal.

In 2012, after a standoff in Scarborough Shoal, the Philippines pulled out after negotiations but China did not. Scarborough Shoal is also known as Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal.

China now has “effective control” over Scarborough, preventing Filipino fishermen who traditionally fished in its waters, from sailing into its lagoon.

“It’s not a withdrawal, it’s a repositioning,” he said.

Gavan refrained from disclosing if there are or will be Philippine vessels in Escoda Shoal after Magbanua returned port but assured the Philippines would maintain its presence there.

Duran, when asked if he would be willing to be assigned again in Escoda, said in between holding back tears that he would.

He said protecting the territory goes beyond the Philippines’ interest.

In a landmark ruling in 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration nullified China’s nine-dash (more recently ten-dash line) which is its basis for its claim on much of the South China Sea including the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or the West Philippine Sea.

China continues to ignore the ruling.

“As Pinoys, Sir, kakayanin natin. Hindi lang para sa Pilipinas kasi para rin sa buong mundo, kasi iniimplement natin ang international law, (As Filipinos, we will prevail. This is not only for the Philippines but for the world, we’re implementing international law” he said.

A tiny drop of courage yet uncertain if it would effect a tidal wave of unity, if not defiance. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News