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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider AFP completes resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal but boat 'severely damaged' by Chinese vessels

AFP completes resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal but boat 'severely damaged' by Chinese vessels

Published Mar 23, 2024 05:50 am
BRP Sierra Madre Ayungin Shoal Resupply Mission.jpg
A rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) reaches the starboard side of BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal to deliver fresh supplies for Filipino troops manning the outpost in the West Philippine Sea on March 23, 2024. (Courtesy of Armed Forces of the Philippines)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) completed a resupply mission to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on Saturday, March 23, although it was met with aggressive actions from Chinese vessels.

Unaizah May 4 (UM4), a civilian vessel contracted to conduct a rotation and resupply (RoRe) operation at Ayungin Shoal, was "severely damaged" after getting hit by water cannon multiple times from China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, according to Col. Xerxes Trinidad, chief of AFP public affairs office.

CCG vessel "BN21551" initially performed dangerous maneuver as it crossed the bow of Unaizah May 4 around 6:08 a.m. while the boat was en route to Ayungin Shoal to bring supplies for the Filipino soldiers stationed on board the BRP Sierra Madre outpost, Trinidad said.

At 7:09 a.m., the CCG vessel performed a reverse blocking maneuver against Unaizah May 4 as the latter was approaching Ayungin Shoal, causing a near collision, he added.

Fifty minutes later, the CCG vessel started blasting water cannon directed at Unaizah May 4, "deliberately targeting and hitting the supply boat."

At 08:38 AM, Unaizah May 4 was again subjected to direct water cannoning, this time, by two CCG vessels near Ayungin Shoal.

"Unaizah May 4 was severely damaged due to the direct blasting of water cannons by CCG vessels and could not continue its course," Trinidad said.

Fortunately, Unaizah May 4 was escorted by two Philippine Navy (PN) ships and two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels.

One of the two PCG escort ships, BRP Cabra, managed to maneuver and reach Unaizah May 4 to provide assistance to the supply boat.

A smaller rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) was then used to transfer six Navy personnel and essential cargoes from Unaizah May 4 and BRP Cabra to BRP Sierra Madre at 11:59 a.m., making the mission a success.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines emphasizes that the mission is a routine operation aimed at sustaining and rotating military personnel at Ayungin Shoal," Trinidad said.

He explained that the mission was set up to ensure a full troop complement on board BRP Sierra Madre after one personnel needing serious medical attention was recently evacuated. 

"This RoRe operation is again a manifestation of the AFP's resolve in rightfully and lawfully maintaining its presence at the shoal in the continued protection of Philippine sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone," Trinidad stressed.

Unaizah May 4 had previously sustained damage when it was subjected to a water cannon attack by the CCG during a resupply mission last March 5. Its windshield shattered from the strong pressure of the water cannon, leaving four Filipino personnel injured.

Related Tags

Resupply mission AFP PH-China West Philippine Sea Ayungin Shoal
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