Filipino soldier’s thumb severed in Chinese vessel collision now restored

The thumb of Seaman First Class Underwater Operator Jeffrey Facundo has been restored after getting cut off in the collision of Philippine boats and Chinese vessels in Ayungin Shoal in June, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Romeo Brawner Jr. said on Monday.

“I would like to report na na-restore na po 'yung thumb, 'yung daliri ng sundalo natin with the help of our doctors, our partners like the Makati Medical Foundation. Naibalik na po 'yung kaniyang daliri. It's now functioning well, normally. I think mga two months ago na naibalik,” Brawner told reporters.

(I would like to report that the thumb, finger of our soldier has been restored with the help of our doctors, our partners like the Makati Medical Foundation. His finger has been restored. It's now functioning well, normally. I think it was restored about two months ago.)

Meanwhile, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Padilla told reporters in another interview that a bone fragment was taken from Facundo's side for the restoration of his thumb during a series of surgeries in V. Luna Hospital and Makati Medical Center. 

She added that it will take Facundo 18 months to fully recover and gain function. 

The AFP chief said the surgery was done “free of charge.”

Brawner said Facundo has already returned to his duty in the West Philippines Sea after the restoration of his thumb.

On June 17, Facundo of the Philippine Navy lost his thumb after China vessels collided with Philippine boats during AFP’s rotation and resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

The AFP had demanded P60 million in damages from China after its coast guard destroyed some equipment of Philippine Navy personnel.

However, Brawner said China has yet to respond to the Philippines’ demand.

Ayungin Shoal is a submerged reef in the Spratly Islands. It is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is within the Philippines 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

EXPLAINER: What is the Ayungin Shoal and why is it important?

BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded in Ayungin Shoal since 1999. The ship has become a symbol of Philippine sovereignty in the offshore territory.

Tensions continue amid Beijing's massive claim in the South China Sea (SCS), including the portion the Philippines refers to as the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The SCS is a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. Aside from the Philippines, China has overlapping claims in the area with Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has not recognized the decision. —AOL, GMA Integrated News