Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela clarified in a press conference on Monday that the BRP Teresa Magbanua’s pull out is due to dwinding supplies and to bring back to port personnel who need medical care.
“BRP Teresa Magbanua, since she was deployed last April, has successfully accomplished the mission…the Coast Guard vessel’s presence there was able to prevent the Chinese government in carrying out the reclamation activities and also protected the marine environment,” he said.
Among the crew aboard BRP Teresa Magbanua, three suffered dehydration while one experienced a gout attack, Tarriela pointed out.
During the press conference, he also emphasized that Escoda Shoal, a low-tide elevation 72 nautical miles away from Palawan, is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and the country has sovereign rights over these waters.
“The Philippine Coast Guard, together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, will never abandon our sovereign rights over these waters. We are still going to sustain our presence in these waters,” he stated.
