The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) successfully held a rotation and reprovision (RORE) mission for the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Thursday, Sept. 26, despite the presence of Chinese vessels.
The AFP did not provide information on the specific details of the resupply mission, perceived as part of its strategy so that China would not anticipate its movements, except that the operation was supported by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
In a video clip posted by the AFP on its social media accounts, it showed M/V Lapu-Lapu, a multi-mission offshore civilian patrol vessel, approaching BRP Sierra Madre during the resupply mission.
During the mission, at least eight Chinese vessels were monitored in the vicinity of the shoal, said AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, but she noted that it did not interfere with the military’s operation.
“We confirm the presence of Chinese vessels in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal during our execution of mission. Up to eight different Chinese vessels were monitored in the vicinity, but posed no threat to our mission and our personnel were able to complete the mission and sustain our presence in the shoal,” Padilla said on Friday, Sept. 27.
Despite the presence of China, the mission pushed through and the AFP “was able to deliver essential supplies to our troops in the area and completed the mission.”
“We remain vigilant and prepared to respond to any challenges in protecting our personnel and operations,” Padilla said.
The successful resupply was the first publicized RORE in two months, with the last held on July 27.
During the same month, the Philippines and China had a provisional agreement on resupply missions to ease tension in disputed areas, following the violent June 17 incident where a Philippine Navy sailor lost his thumb during a ramming incident by the China Coast Guard.