AFP: Soldier regains thumb severed in sea clash with China Coast Guard

Photos courtesy of AFP

MANILA, Philippines — The thumb of Seaman First Class Jeffrey Facundo, the Navy sailor who got injured after a botched resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal last June 17, has been “restored” and is functioning well, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said Facundo’s thumb was reattached to his hand about two months ago.

“Anyway, I would like to report that the soldier the thumb of the soldier, which was cut off was already restored with the help of our doctors and partners like the Makati Medical Foundation. His thumb was reattached and is now functioning well, normally,” Brawner said in a mix of English and Filipino during an ambush interview on Monday.

READ: PH Navy man who lost thumb recounts China aggression at Ayungin

He added that the surgery was free of charge and Facundo is back on duty in the West Philippine Sea.

Based on reports, Facundo and several other naval personnel were injured due to a ramming incident between China Coast Guard and Filipino boats during a resupply mission for the troops of BRP Sierra Madre.

Beijing’s continued aggression was based on its assertion of sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, as it continues to reject a July 2016 Arbitral Award that effectively dismissed its claims and ruled in favor of Manila.

The landmark ruling stemmed from a case filed by Manila in 2013, a year after its tense standoff with Beijing over Panatag Shoal, whose lagoon the latter now effectively controls.