The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday recognized the 43-strong crew of BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406) for their courage and excellent seamanship during a confrontation with two Chinese vessels off Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).
During the incident on Monday morning, BRP Suluan successfully outmaneuvered the two larger foreign ships, ultimately causing them to collide and render them unseaworthy.
Video footage taken by the PCG crew of the confrontation has now gone viral online, reported by international news organizations as a great embarrassment for Beijing, which claims most of the South China Sea as its own.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan led the awarding ceremony at Pier 15, Port Area, Manila, commending the crew for their “bravery, selfless dedication, and sacrifices” in safeguarding Philippine waters and protecting Filipino fishermen.
The deployment, ordered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., is part of ongoing efforts to assert the country’s maritime rights and ensure security in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Gavan also lauded the PCG’s WPS Group for its role in information operations and coordination during the mission.
“You have proven that indeed we are the most durable point man in keeping the peace at sea,” Gavan said. “There are lots of things to do, but always keep in mind that what you’ve done, you should always remain calm, you should always remain professional yet unyielding in the face of whoever they are.”
On board BRP Suluan during the patrol were 43 personnel, including members of the Coast Guard Medical Service, Maritime Surveillance Team, Special Operations Force, the “Angels of the Sea” communications unit, media representatives, and staff from the Coast Guard Public Affairs Service.
