The Philippines’ successful follow-up mission to resupply personnel at the grounded vessel in Ayungin Shoal on Tuesday was confirmed by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS).
“The routine follow-up Rotation and Resupply (RoRe) mission to the BRP SIERRA MADRE (LS 57) was successfully conducted today, August 22, through the combined efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard,” the NTF WPS said in a statement.
“This latest RoRe mission was able to deliver fresh provisions to our military personnel stationed on board BRP SIERRA MADRE,” it added.
Since 1999, BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded at Ayungin Shoal. The vessel, with over a dozen Marines and sailors aboard, has come to represent Philippine sovereignty in the region.
Earlier, maritime security expert and former US Air Force official, ex-Defense Attaché Ray Powell, disclosed that China positioned four militia ships from Mischief Reef to form a blockade as Philippine ships headed towards the shoal.
owell noted that the Philippine mission was accompanied by Philippine Coast Guard ships BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan.
The NTF-WPS confirmed that the supply mission was carried out by ships Unaizah May 1 and Unaizah May 2.
Resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal successful
“Notwithstanding attempts by China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels to block, harass, and interfere with the supply mission, the Philippine supply ships Unaizah May 1 and Unaizah May 2, escorted by PCG vessels BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) and BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407), successfully completed their RoRe mission,” the task force said.
On August 5, the Chinese Coast Guard employed water cannons against the Philippine Coast Guard fleet, which was engaged in a resupply mission for Filipino troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
Led by the United States, Australia, Japan, and Canada, several countries have voiced support for Manila and criticized China’s recent actions. These actions are part of a series of reported harassment incidents against Philippine vessels this year.
The Ayungin Shoal belongs to the Kalayaan Island Group, which is an integral part of the Philippines. It is also within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, where the country holds sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.
China has opposed the resupply missions, asserting that the Philippines is transporting construction materials to occupy the shoal permanently.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.