BRP Teresa Magbanua Crew Faces Harsh Conditions Amid China’s Blockade in WPS
BRP TERESA MAGBANUA – A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel endured harsh conditions while stationed at Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
Due to persistent harassment by the China Coast Guard (CCG), the crew was unable to receive adequate supplies. As a result, they survived on “lugaw” (rice porridge) and drank boiled rainwater or water collected from the ship’s air-conditioning system. The crew’s struggle for basic necessities eventually forced their departure from the area after five months.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, highlighted that the crew’s water supply became critical in August when the CCG’s actions intensified, preventing the delivery of essential goods. Three crew members experienced dehydration, with one suffering a gout attack, likely due to the lack of clean drinking water. Upon their return to Puerto Princesa, Palawan, the affected crew members received intravenous fluids to recover from their ordeal.
The prolonged deployment also caused mechanical issues with the ship’s desalination system, which converts seawater into potable water. The system’s filters became overused, and new parts are expected to arrive from Japan soon. Tarriela explained that while the ship was equipped to generate fresh water, the strain of the long mission caused the system to malfunction.
Chinese forces escalated their blockade of Escoda Shoal in late August, deploying warships and over 40 vessels to prevent resupply missions. On August 29, the Philippine military had to use helicopters to drop supplies for the BRP Teresa Magbanua crew, marking a significant logistical challenge for the PCG.
Tarriela emphasized that before August, the PCG had little difficulty supplying the vessel. However, the CCG’s aggressive tactics have since hindered operations. The situation also reignited tensions over China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, despite the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated these claims, including those over the West Philippine Sea.