After a five-month patrol at Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, the BRP Teresa Magbanua has returned to port at Puerto Princesa Metropolis. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel, which was rammed by the Chinese language throughout its deployment to Escoda, will bear repairs. (PCG PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — Weeks after the pullout of BRP Teresa Magbanua, the nation reasserted its presence in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal within the West Philippine Sea by dispatching a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship to the world.
SeaLight Director Ray Powell stated BRP Cape Engaño patrolled the space from Wednesday and Thursday, however not with out challenges from China Coast Guard (CCG) and its maritime militia.
Powell, in a put up on X (previously Twitter) on Friday, stated the 44-meter multi function response vessel (MRRV) ship’s patrol drew “a powerful response from China’s close by coast guard & maritime militia ships.”
Earlier than heading to Escoda, the MRRV shadowed a flotilla of Chinese language ships which sailed comparatively close to the Palawan coast on Tuesday.
This flotilla consisted of a analysis ship, two giant CCG ships and 10 maritime militia vessels.
Article continues after this commercial
On Wednesday, BRP Cape Engaño stopped shadowing the flotilla and headed towards Escoda Shoal.
Article continues after this commercial
CCG ships from close by Mischief Reef, nonetheless, headed in the direction of the path of the shoal in anticipation of the PCG ship.
“By midnight they have been in place to interdict an method,” Powell stated.
There have been “at the very least” 4 CCG and 15 militia ships close to Escoda to maintain BRP Cape Engaño away.
On Thursday, BRP Cape Engaño started to maneuver away from Escoda Shoal and was on its approach again to port at Buliluyan Port in Bataraza, Palawan.
Anchored within the shoal since April 16 earlier than returning to port this month, BRP Teresa Magbanua was the longest-deployed PCG asset within the West Philippine Sea.
The 97-meter MRRV arrived in Puerto Princesa port on Sept. 15 with 4 dehydrated crewmembers who subsisted on porridge and rainwater weeks prior as CCG thwarted the arrival of their provides.
The CCG began to disrupt the resupply missions for the flagship vessel solely in August, in line with Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.
This blockade comes as Chinese language state publication World Instances as soon as claimed that BRP Teresa Magbanua is “semi-grounded” in Escoda Shoal, much like what it stated the nation did with the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded navy warship on the shoal’s adjoining Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
Powell advised INQUIRER.web on Wednesday that the grounding of one other ship there’s already “untenable in the long run.”
Your subscription couldn’t be saved. Please attempt once more.
Your subscription has been profitable.
“The Philippines appears to have already moved on from that,” Powell stated of the grounding of one other ship.
For complete protection, in-depth evaluation, go to our particular web page for West Philippine Sea updates. Keep knowledgeable with articles, movies, and professional opinions.
