The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced Saturday, August 19, that it will hold another rotation and reprovision (RORE) mission to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), Palawan after the botched August 5 operation where Chinese vessels fired jets of water at Philippine boats carrying supplies for the troops onboard BRP Sierra Madre.

Col. Medel Aguilar, AFP spokesperson, did not announce the exact date when the mission will take place as this is part of operational matters and to avoid leakage of any information that might jeopardize it.

“Despite the incident on August 5, where Philippine supply vessels were blocked, subjected to dangerous maneuvers and water cannon, the Armed Forces of the Philippines is duty-bound to ensure the well-being of its personnel on the BRP Sierra Madre,” Aguilar said.

“We are, therefore, committed to the conduct of another rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission for our personnel and to maintain our presence in Ayungin Shoal. This exercise of our sovereign rights and jurisdiction is a testament to our firm belief in the rules-based international order that underpins regional peace and stability,” he added.

The AFP spokesperson called on China to refrain its vessels from harassing Philippine supply boats and respect the country’s maritime territory.

“Ayungin Shoal holds a strategic importance for the Philippines and a fishing ground for our fishermen. Beyond its practical purpose, the RORE mission to the shoal is a clear demonstration of our resolve to stand up against threats and coercion, and our commitment in upholding the Rule of Law,” he said.

“As we continue to pursue this humanitarian undertaking and defend our rights over our maritime zones, we also affirm our support for the peaceful settlement of disputes. We, therefore, call on all relevant parties to abide by their obligations under international law and respect the Philippines' sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over its maritime zones,” he continued.

Last Aug. 5, Chinese coast guard, navy, and maritime militia vessels blocked, performed dangerous maneuvers, and fired water cannon at two supply boats chartered by the AFP and escorted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) while en route to Ayungin Shoal.

PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Commo. Jay Tarriela had raised the possibility that China might have “informants” that tipped them about AFP’s last RORE mission which enabled them to position its vessels near Ayungin Shoal a day before the operation.

The incident drew worldwide condemnation particularly from Philippines’ allies such as United States, Japan, Canada, and European Union among others.

However, the Chinese government defended its coast guard’s decision to fire water cannon as they called it a “professional” and “restrained” measure when the Philippine vessels supposedly trespassed to Chinese waters.

Both the Philippines and China are claiming sovereignty over Ayungin Shoal, a submerged reef located within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).