After more than five months of steadfast service in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the BRP Teresa Magbanua is returning to its homeport, the National Maritime Council (NMC) confirmed in a statement on Sunday.
NMC chairperson Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin described its movement as “repositioning” to allow the vessel to address the medical needs of its crew and undergo much needed repairs.
BRP Teresa Magbanua was deployed in Escoda Shoal with Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to protect the country’s maritime interests in the region amid potential Chinese reclamation.
Bersamin acknowledged the challenges it went through as it was surrounded by several Chinese vessels, which repeatedly blocked efforts by the PCG and Philippine Navy to conduct successful resupply missions.
“During her deployment at Escoda Shoal, she challenged an encirclement by a larger flotilla of intruders, battled inclement weather, with her crew surviving on diminished daily provisions,” the NMC chairperson said.
Bersamin thanked the men and women of the PCG on board who kept the vessel afloat. He indicated plans for its resume its duties in guarding the contested shoal once it gets back in shape.
“This repositioning will allow the Magbanua to address the medical needs of some of her crew, undergo needed repairs, and allow her crew to enjoy a well-deserved furlough and reunion with their loved ones,” he said.
“After she has been resupplied and repaired, and her crew recharged, she will be in tiptop shape to resume her mission, along with other PCG and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) assets, as defenders of our sovereignty,” the NMC chief added.
