West Philippine Sea: PCG’s BRP Teresa Magbanua leaves Escoda Shoal

INTENTIONAL AND REPEATED China Coast Guard (CCG) ship with bow number 5205 “intentionally and repeatedly” rammed the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Teresa Magbanua. Picture shows CCG 5205 moments before it slammed into Magbanua. — File photo from PCG on BRP TERESA MAGBANUA

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua has left Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

It is now sailing back to its homeport.

This development was relayed by National Maritime Council Chairperson and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Sunday.

READ: PH to China: Escoda Shoal is ours, PCG ship has right to operate there

According to Bersamin, this repositioning will allow the vessel “to address the medical need, undergo needed repairs, and allow its crew to enjoy a well-deserved furlough and reunion with their loved ones.”

“After she has been resupplied and repaired, and her crew recharged, she will be in tiptop shape to resume her mission, along with other PCG and AFP assets, as defenders of our sovereignty,” the executive secretary said in a statement.

READ: ‘Monster’ vs Magbanua: New source of tension

“During her deployment at Escoda Shoal, she challenged an encirclement by a larger flotilla of intruders, battled inclement weather, with her crew surviving on diminished daily provisions,” the statement read.

“What made this possible is the determination and dedication of the men and women on board, who crewed her in the finest tradition of our Philippine Coast Guard sailors, and in honor of the heroine for whom she was named,” it added.