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.'