In this Philippine Coast Guard handout photo, the officers and crew of BRP Teresa Magbanua hoist the Philippine flag to mark Philippine Independence Day on June 12, 2024. Handout/File

MANILA (3rd UPDATE) — The Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Teresa Magbanua has left Escoda Shoal after more than five months deployed there, the policy-setting National Maritime Council said Sunday.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed early reports that the Magbanua was sailing back to the main island of Palawan after "[carrying ] out her sentinel duties against overwhelming odds."

Bersamin said that the Magbanua "challenged an encirclement by a larger flotilla of intruders, battled inclement weather, with her crew surviving on diminished daily provisions" while on deployment.

Chinese ships had tried to prevent resupply missions to the Magbanua, the Coast Guard's biggest and most expensive ship, with supplies being brought in by helicopter at least one point.

Bersamin said the Magbanua's return to her home port "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."

The NMC did not say whether a Philippine ship had taken station where Magbanua used to be, but Bersamin said that "she will be in tiptop shape to resume her mission, along with other PCG and AFP assets, as defenders of our sovereignty" after the rotation.

In a statement posted by Commo. Jay Tarriella, PCG spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea, the coast guard commended the officers and crew of the Magbanua, saying the ship had only been "compelled to return to port due to unfavorable weather conditions, depleted supplies of daily necessities, and the need to evacuate personnel requiring medical care."

The coast guard noted the Magbanua had also suffered structural damage after a China Coast Guard ship rammed into it from behind on August 31.

"The PCG acknowledges the unwavering patriotism, unshakeable bravery, dedication, and unparalleled professionalism of our personnel on board BRP Teresa Magbanua, as they carried out and performed their mission in Escoda Shoal even in dangerous and adverse operational  conditions."

Some PCG officials are set to welcome the vessel, which is expected to arrive in Palawan on Sunday.

'SAILED AWAY ON SATURDAY'

Ray Powell, director of South China Sea monitor SeaLight, earlier said the Magbanua was indeed seen on its way to Puerto Princesa City, but it turned off its automatic identification system (AIS) broadcasts late Saturday night.

In a translated statement, the China Coast Guard said that the Magbanua "has been illegally stranded" at Escoda Shoal, which Beijing calls Xianbin Reef, since April and had violated China’s sovereignty and has "[undermined] regional peace and stability."

The China Coast Guard said it took "control measures" against the Magbanua while it was at Escoda and said that the PCG patrol ship left the area on Saturday afternoon.

"We are telling the Philippines to stop inciting propaganda and risking infringement, and to work with China halfway to safeguard the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," the translated statement, which was originally issued in Chinese, read.

The 2002 declaration, where parties commit to "exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability" did not stop China from its reclamation and island-building in the South China Sea.

WHY BRP TERESA MAGBANUA WAS AT ESCODA

The Philippine Coast Guard deployed the Magbanua to Escoda Shoal in mid-April, where it discovered what appeared to be dumped crushed corals, which are suspected to be a precursor to China’s land reclamation efforts.

A scientific expedition to Escoda Shoal in June found dead corals, many of which had already been grown over by brown algae.

"Majority or almost all of the shallow water at Escoda Shoal is devoid of any living corals. There's no space that shows signs of life... That's really an ecological disaster for Escoda," Jonathan Anticamara, a professor at the UP Institute of Biology, said then.

The 97-meter multi-role response vessel Magbanua was recently rammed multiple times by a China Coast Guard vessel, as Beijing continues to call for its withdrawal from the area.

READ: China, Philippines hold 'candid' talks on disputed shoal

With the Magbanua sailing back to port and no mention from the NMC or the PCG that another Philippine ship had taken its place at Escoda Shoal, the country risks coming back to find China in control of the shoal as it did after the 2012 standoff at Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc, Panatag).

Philippine ships had withdrawn from Scarborough as part of a supposed agreement to lower tension after the Philippine Navy tried to arrest poachers at the shoal, a traditional fishing ground in the West Philippine Sea.

China maintained its presence at Scarborough and continues to harass and prevent Filipino fishers from entering the shoal's lagoon.

Government resupply missions to distribute food, fuel and aid to Filipino fisherfolk at Scarborough have also been met with water cannons and aggressive maneuvers by Chinese ships. 

CHINA WANTS MAGBANUA OUT OF ESCODA SHOAL

During a meeting in Beijing on Wednesday, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong and Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Maria Theresa Lazaro discussed the issue as part of the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chinese side urged the Philippines to withdraw its vessel from Escoda Shoal.

In a separate statement, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said Lazaro emphasized that Escoda Shoal is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Both sides agreed to continue communication through diplomatic channels.

Sen. Francis Tolentino, chair of the Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones, said the Philippines should not withdraw its presence at Escoda Shoal and pushed for even greater deployment in the area amid China’s increased hostility.

RELATED: China may be trying to drive BRP Teresa Magbanua out of Escoda Shoal — analyst

"Hindi, hindi. Kung maaari pa nga nating dagdagan 'yon eh, bakit nila pagbabawalan 'yon eh sang-ayon sa international law, tayo ang may karapatan na mag-conduct ng marine and scientific research na ginawa ng UP Maritime Institute. Nando’n tayo para tuparin lang 'yong nakalagay sa international law of the sea convention," Tolentino told reporters during an interview at Camp Aguinaldo.

(No, no. If we could even add more [vessels], why should they stop us when it’s in accordance with international law? We have the right to conduct marine and scientific research as done by the UP Maritime Institute. We are there just to fulfill what is stated in the international law of the sea convention.)

"Within our exclusive economic zone 'yong kinalalagyan ng Escoda Shoal," he added.

(Escoda Shoal is located within our exclusive economic zone.)

In an interview on ANC, maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal said that China has been stressing bilateral talks on issues in the South China Sea, but that its actions show it is "very difficult to trust the Chinese side on this."

He said that the Philippines and China seem to have reached "some kind of arrangement" on Ayungin Shoal, where commissioned navy ship BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded and acts as a Philippine outpost there.

"Now they transferred the focus to Escoda and other places," he said.

He added that China's actions in the West Philippine Sea make it seem that "all they want is for us to surrender, essentially."

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