Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, recounted the difficulties endured by the personnel aboard BRP Teresa Magbanua during their nearly five-month deployment at Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
In a press conference today, Commodore Tarriela revealed that the BRP Teresa had been stationed at Escoda Shoal since April, with resupply missions conducted until July. However, resupply issues began in August due to increased aggression from Chinese forces.
It will be recalled that on August 31, the BRP Teresa Magbanua was intentionally rammed three times by a China Coast Guard vessel, resulting in damages to the ship.
Commodore Tarriela also reported that three out of the four crew members diagnosed suffered from dehydration and malnutrition due to the supply disruptions.
Despite the vessel being equipped with a desalinator machine to convert seawater into potable water, the filters required replacement after extended use, resulting in insufficient fresh water production.
At one point, rainwater and water from the air conditioning system were consumed, while the crew subsisted on porridge for several weeks.
Earlier, three crew members from the 63-strong BRP Teresa Magbanua team were evacuated via stretcher and hospitalized upon the vessel’s return to its homeport in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, after experiencing dehydration.