A tense week at sea as Philippine coast guard faces China

Recently, two Philippine coast guard warships patrolled the dangerous South China Sea.

Two weeks ago, the Philippine coast guard asked the AP and three other news agencies to join a 1,670-kilometer (1,038-mile) patrol of one of the world’s most contentious waters.

The invitation was part of a new Philippine campaign to highlight China’s growing South China Sea aggression. China has pushed back rival claims like the Philippines and created artificial islands with airstrips and military garrisons. The fishing archipelago may be atop massive oil and gas reserves.

The Philippines regularly monitor the islands to establish their claims, spot encroachments, and restock Filipino sailors. The Philippine coast guard sometimes faces David and Goliath battles against significantly larger and more powerful fleets of Chinese coast guard vessels, navy warships, and seaborne militias, especially near Beijing’s artificial island bases.
Japanese-built 44-meter (144-foot) patrol ships BRP Malabrigo and BRP Malapascua planned to circle disputed islands, islets, and reefs claimed by the Philippines in the Spratly Islands, some occupied by Philippine garrisons and some by Chinese military installations.

The expedition showed how Filipino coast guardsmen face sun, sea, stress, and solitude while fighting several geopolitical wars.

The sailors packed cellphones with photos, movies, and games.

Patrolling was hard work and claustrophobic leisure. Sailors spent most of their downtime between four-hour shifts in cramped, air-conditioned cabins because it was so hot. A few individuals would congregate in the mess hall to watch a movie or sing on the karaoke machine, a Filipino requirement. Some liked walking the ship’s narrow passages.

The two ships visited one or two destinations daily, working nonstop. Motor launches delivered water, crude oil, and cigarettes at Filipino-occupied locations. Thirsty sailors traded dried fish for water.

Visiting Chinese-controlled areas was harder. The patrol found over 100 small Chinese boats, likely militia vessels, anchored near one shoal. Filipinos lowered launches and demanded boats leave Philippine waters. Chinese boats remained silent.

They fought the Chinese Coast Guard in Chinese-occupied Subi Reef and at Second Thomas Shoal, where Filipino sailors occupy a beached, crumbling navy ship flanked by Chinese ships.

Tense, drawn-out confrontations. Chinese coast guard and navy ships followed the patrol for more than an hour, accusing the Filipinos of invading into Beijing’s territorial seas and ordering them to leave or face unspecified consequences.

A radio operator carrying a paper script in the bridge corner declared Philippine sovereignty and ordered the Chinese ships to stay away and follow international anti-collision norms.

The bridge was silent and attentive. Radar operators watched the other ship’s speed and bearing for minute changes. The commander ordered the Malabrigos to speed up one knot when it neared. The encounter lasted almost an hour.

Commander Julio Colarina III, 41, spent 24 hours a day atop the Malabrigo’s bridge, sleeping on a foldable bed. Second-generation Philippine territorial defender. His retired naval father garrisoned Philippine-occupied Thitu Island for a year in the 1970s.

The mess hall played “Hotel California” while crew members rested between four-hour bridge shifts. A sailor celebrated her birthday with an omelet, sardines, fried fish, and rice.

“Peace and good health always,” stated the 27-year-old.

The Malapascua was stopped by a Chinese coast guard ship on April 23, the second-to-last day of the voyage, when the crew became silent. Capt. Rodel Hernandez of the Malapascua says he avoided a collision by rapidly reversing course and shutting off the engine.

Manila-Beijing tensions escalated as journalists filmed the violent confrontation. The Philippines accused China of “highly dangerous maneuvers” that threatened Philippine patrol vessels and crews.

China said the Filipino warships entered its territorial seas with journalists in a “premeditated provocation designed to deliberately create a friction” to blame Beijing.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Reggie Lobusta, who has been deployed to the disputed zone many times, felt like he had just finished another round in a protracted boxing battle with no end in sight.

“These problems will be far worse than what we’ve encountered if they’re not addressed properly,” Lobusta warned.

Patrols are the Philippine Coast Guard’s hardest jobs. Colarina claimed the crew received half a month’s wages as hazard pay and a “stress debrief” from psychiatrists after returning to land.

After seven days, more crewmembers chatted and took selfies on the deck as the sun sank.

Lobusta claimed sunsets, sunrises, dolphins, and green turtles enhance morale. “Retiring and leaving this ship and my second family will break my heart.”