The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday said China’s ramming at the Escoda Shoal punched a hole on the BRP Teresa Magbanua’s hull that was large enough for a person to go through, Jaime Santos reported on 24 Oras Weekend.
“There’s damage to the bridge wing, and also on the freeboard of the [MRRV] 9701. There’s this hole that was also… a result of the direct ramming conducted by the China Coast Guard (CCG), and also on this part,” said PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela.
The CCG, however, blamed the Philippine Coast Guard and said it was the Teresa Magbanua that had rammed their ship.
“The Philippine ship 9701 deliberately rammed China’s normal law enforcement vessel 5205 in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, causing the collision, and the responsibility lies entirely with the Philippine side,” said Liu Dejun, CCG spokesperson.
China once again warned the PCG that it should remove its ship from the Escoda Shoal as its presence violated Chinese sovereignty.
“We once again warn the Philippines to face up to reality, give up illusions, and immediately withdraw on its own is the only correct way,” Dejun said.
“Mas nakakagalit talaga kapag may nagsasabing tayo ang bumangga,” responded Tarriela on Super Radyo dzBB. “How crazy is that argument? Minuto nga lang ang pagitan, binangga ulit tayo.”
On Saturday, a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel “intentionally” and repeatedly rammed the BRP Teresa Magbanua, which had been anchored on Escoda Shoal (Sabina Shoal) since April.
The PCG emphasized that the Philippine ship was intentionally rammed three times even though it was not doing anything provocative.
There were no reported injuries during the incident.
BRP Teresa Magbanua has been stationed in Escoda Shoal since April amid reports of Chinese reclamation activities in the area.
Escoda Shoal is a coral reef formation with a central lagoon surrounded by discontinuous shallow sections. It is a rendezvous point for Philippine vessels headed to Ayungin Shoal, another contested feature in the West Philippine Sea, where the World War II-era vessel BRP Sierra Made has been aground since 1999.
Manila accused Beijing of building an artificial island, saying it had documented piles of dead and crushed coral on the sandbars, which Beijing denies. — Sherylin Untalan/DVM, GMA Integrated News
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