PCG vessel changes command at sea with Chinese nearby

A China Coast Guard vessel is spotted in the bridge’s window behind Lieutenant Efren Duran, who is the new commander of the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Teresa Magbanua. —Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard
MANILA, Philippines — With a Chinese Coast Guard vessel in the horizon, the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) largest and most modern vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua held a historic change of command ceremony in the waters of Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, where it has been anchored since April in response to the suspected reclamation by China and the continued presence of its maritime militia.
Lt. Efren Duran replaced Cmdr. Vladimer Gaspar, who served as commanding officer of BRP Magbanua for eight months, during a turnover rite on Tuesday, the PCG said in a statement.
READ: AFP: Suspected ‘reclamation’ by China in Escoda Shoal deterred
“CG Commander Gaspar has managed to uplift the morale and welfare of the crew despite the pressing situation in Sabina Shoal for three months,” it said.
One of the photos of the turnover ceremony released by the PCG showed a China Coast Guard vessel with bow number 3303 just outside the ship’s window.
Article continues after this advertisement“The BRP Teresa Magbanua won’t be leaving there anytime soon,” PCG spokesperson Rear Adm. Armando Balilo told the Inquirer.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Sue China over suspected reclamation in Escoda Shoal — Carpio
On patrol
The BRP Teresa Magbanua has been deployed in Escoda Shoal since April 16 amid the continued presence of Chinese militia and suspected reclamation activities. The shoal is only about 139 kilometers (75 nautical miles) from the coast of Palawan.
The PCG sent the ship in April “to monitor the supposed illegal activities of China, creating ‘an artificial island,’ on Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea by destroying the coral reefs,” the Presidential Communications Office said in May.
PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said last month that results of a maritime scientific research found that “crushed corals were dumped and it is highly likely that the maritime features were altered.”
China has claimed that the Philippines has been “effectively forging a quasi-military-grounding” with the extended presence of BRP Teresa Magbanua.
The People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) launched “illegal” unilateral drills off Escoda on Sunday and Monday, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said at a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.
“The conduct of an exercise [within another country’s exclusive economic zone] is unauthorized under Unclos. It is not allowed,” he said, referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The PLA-N reportedly conducted aircraft and sea maneuvers and the Philippine side was able to monitor and challenge their activities, Trinidad said.
Beijing claims nearly the entire South China Sea, overlapping its claims with five countries and continues to ignore the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s claims.
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