THE BRP Teresa Magbanua, the Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) biggest multirole vessel, left Sabina (Escoda) Shoal on Sept. 14, 2024, after being deployed for more than five months. This triggered speculation as to the wisdom or reason behind the pullout without another vessel replacing it. And the many theories following this sudden but not unexpected "repositioning" are not without bases.
The media and the public suspect that the recall was part of an agreement between the Philippines and China since a couple of days earlier, representatives from both countries gathered for a "bilateral consultation." After all, that round of talks happened just after a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel's unprovoked and repeated ramming of the then-anchored Teresa Magbanua in Sabina Shoal on August 31, notwithstanding a similar meeting in July to "ease tensions."
The National Maritime Council (NMC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) vehemently denied these assumptions. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said the sequence of events was merely a "coincidence." NMC Chairman and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin Jr. said the repositioning was necessary "to address the medical needs of some of [Teresa Magbanua's] crew members, [for the vessel to] undergo necessary repairs, and allow the crew to take time off and be with their loved ones" after their successful mission.
But no one doubted the shining examples of selfless sacrifice and heroism displayed by the officers, men and women of BRP Teresa Magbanua! We salute the entire crew who prolonged the ship's endurance beyond her limits — some of them had to suffer illnesses, subsist on porridge, and quench their thirst by drinking either rainwater or water dripping from the vessel's air-conditioning units. Truly remarkable. The CCG, the People's Liberation Army's Navy and the Chinese Maritime Militia cannot measure up to even half these Filipino sailors' resilience and dedication to duty. But these sterling attributes of weak coast guardians, by their measure, who had put up a tough sentinel duty now gone, gave them a good reason to celebrate until a replacement would come in to guard the shoal again.
The authorities may argue that there remains a "presence" in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) despite the departure of Teresa Magbanua from this newest flashpoint in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
For sure, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy aircraft will continue to patrol our vast maritime domain and serve as our eyes and ears, but there is no substitute for having a physical presence in these contested waters. The fact we extended Teresa Magbanua's presence in the area and attempted several sorties to resupply her is a testament to its importance there. The strategic presence of the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, despite routine air patrols in the area, proves that there is no substitute for actually being there. And all the foul tactics that China has employed to force the Philippines to remove these vessels from their key areas of interest sum it up.
I agree that this is not a repeat of the 2012 Scarborough Shoal incident in many respects, but it is insofar as the likelihood of our vessels not being able to come as close to Sabina Shoal again. And that is by the sheer preponderance of China's ships and its temerity in ramming a handful of our smaller vessels. And this tactic of subduing the enemy by attrition is obviously working.
In my column last week, I raised the point that a maritime nation such as ours, with a coastline that is fourth-longest in the world, needs more patrol ships for our PCG and Navy. We need fast and agile vessels with the endurance and capability to maintain a physical presence in our EEZ and protect our national interest against a powerful but rogue neighbor like China. But if there is anything good that China's bullying has brought to this country, it is the politicians making the patriotic call for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the fortification of naval detachments in the Kalayaan Island Group. But that entails actions, or else they become mere rhetoric that sounds more like a campaign pitch.
Starting with what is still doable between these two, it would be of immense help if Section 4(b) of Republic Act 7898, or the AFP Modernization Law, would be amended. The named provision, although meant to ensure quality and suitability, prohibits the AFP from buying only military hardware unless that is used by the armed forces of the country of origin or by those of two other countries. The provision automatically disqualifies the biggest in-country but world-renowned shipbuilder. There is this multimillion-dollar complex called the West Cebu Industrial Park in Balamban, Cebu, that earned the Philippines its position as the fourth-largest shipbuilding nation with the addition of the American-owned Advance Catamaran Composites Inc. Two shipbuilding giants, Austal and Tsuneishi, have been there for several years, but we are yet to tap their potential as a shipbuilder for our Navy and Coast Guard, not to mention the economic opportunities it will create.
The PCG and Navy need to increase their fleet as China takes liberty and boldness in ramming our vessels, knowing that we will only file protests that they will just ignore, and it will be a while before we get to repair them before redeployment.
We agree with our security officials that we should continue to push back. While they say we do not need help from like-minded nations to do that, and the wisdom behind that declaration is debatable, it remains the only thing we can do, given the stand of the government, to reduce rather than escalate tensions in the WPS.
There were recommendations for the Philippines to sue China anew for damages it caused to the environment, as contained in the 2016 arbitral award and the destruction it caused in Rozul Reef and Sabina Shoal.
And there is this campaign by the Philippines to secure non-permanent membership in the 15-seat United Nations Security Council, which votes on resolutions that will authorize the use of force in maintaining or restoring international peace and security.
With the midterm polls fast approaching, these courses of action, vested with national interest, will be subject to political campaign promises. We should be very discerning in finding a sense of what they would say to aid us in deciding who we will elect in May 2025 to tackle these critical maritime security challenges.
X: @atty_edarevalo