Navy sailor who lost thumb in WPS attack gets it back

Seaman First Class Jeffrey Facundo of the Philippine Navy relates at a Senate hearing on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, how his boat was rammed by the Chinese Coast Guard. —SENATE PRIB

The Philippine Navy sailor who lost his right thumb during a violent confrontation in June with members of the China Coast Guard (CCG) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) has had his severed finger reconstructed.

Seaman First Class Underwater Operator Jeffrey Facundo recently underwent a series of procedures at V. Luna Medical Center and Makati Medical Center for his new thumb, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Col. Francel Padilla told the Inquirer on Monday.

A bone from Facundo’s rib cage was taken to reconstruct his severed digit. It will take 18 months of rehabilitation after the rib bone grafting procedure for his new finger to be fully functional, Padilla said.

The Navy sailor was part of a resupply mission being conducted by the Philippine government forces to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on June 17 when they encountered CCG personnel armed with axes and knives who blocked their ships.

Facundo’s thumb was cut off as the Chinese forces rammed, punctured, boarded and towed the Philippine vessels. They also took the firearms onboard.

The incident saw China’s most violent actions so far toward Filipino personnel. Beijing has been blocking resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre, the grounded vessel that serves as the Philippines’ outpost in Ayungin, a low-tide elevation that lies within the country’s 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone, some 194 kilometers off Palawan province.

The following month, the Philippines and China reached a “provisional arrangement” to de-escalate the situation in Ayungin.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., meanwhile, reiterated calls for China to pay the Philippines P60 million for damages arising from the incident. The amount covers the damaged boats, equipment and firearms seized by the CCG personnel.

“We will demand it. We will continue to demand it because it is our right. They were the ones at fault. They stole our equipment, and they should return it,” he said. “The P60 million doesn’t even include the damage caused to our Navy personnel who lost his finger.”