PCG not surrendering post despite Teresa Magbanua pulling out from Escoda, says Tarriela | ABS-CBN

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PCG not surrendering post despite Teresa Magbanua pulling out from Escoda, says Tarriela

PCG not surrendering post despite Teresa Magbanua pulling out from Escoda, says Tarriela

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Sep 15, 2024 10:59 PM PHT

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Philippine Coast Guard non-officers are sent off for training with the deployment of 4 vessels, including the new BRP Teresa Magbanua, in a ceremony in Manila on May 16, 2022. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/FilePhilippine Coast Guard non-officers are sent off for training with the deployment of 4 vessels, including the new BRP Teresa Magbanua, in a ceremony in Manila on May 16, 2022. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- The Philippine Coast Guard clarified that it is not giving up its presence in the disputed waters of the West Philippine Sea despite the pull out of the BRP Teresa Magbanua from Escoda Shoal.

Commo. Jay Tarriella, PCG spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea, said Teresa Magbanua, the Coast Guard's biggest and most expensive ship was already able to accomplish it mission.

"Ang unang objective n'ya rito is to stop ang reclamation na ginagawa sa Escoda; second is to protect our marine environment; and third, to support ang mga mangingisda nating Pilipino," said Tarriela in an interview on Teleradyo Serbisyo on Sunday night, hours after it was confirmed that the Teresa Magbanua had left the shoal.

The PCG official said it is already time for the vessel to return to port in Palawan to address the structural damage on the ship and the needs of the personnel.

"This time around we have to ask Teresa Magbanua to pull out of Escoda Shoal for three important reasons: one, it's because of the very bad weather. (Second), alam naman nating noong nakaraang Aug. 31 nagtamo ito ng mga structural damage, ito isang ang pangunahing dahilan kung bakit we bring her back sa port," said Tarriela.

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"Third, they have already critical supply. Gaya ng sinabi ng commanding officer natin sa Teresa Magbanua, ang ating mga tropa ay kumakain ng lugaw ang some of them need medical care dahil they are dehydrated."

But he said this does not mean the PCG is abandoning its post in Escoda.

"Ang sinasabi natin ng Coast Guard we still recognize na ang Sabina Shoal or Escoda Shoal is within our exclusive economic zone... We have other coast guard vessels to carry out our sovereign patrols not just in Escoda Shoal but the entire West Philippine Sea," said Tarriela.

When asked about the latest threats of harassment from the side of the China coast guard, he said: "As far as the Coast Guard is concerned, we are not deterred by this kind of statements by the Chinese government. 

"Para sa atin our presence in Escoda Shoal, the entire WPS is in accordance by the international law and supported by UNLOS and abitral award."

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