The first resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre conducted after Manila and Beijing made some new arrangements to manage tension succeeded on Saturday, July 27.
"No untoward incidents were reported" when the Philippines commissioned civilian vessel MV Lapu-Lapu during the rotation and reprovisioning (RORE) mission in the West Philippine Sea, according to DFA.
MV Lapu-Lapu was escorted by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Cape Engaño.
"It was the first RORE mission conducted under the ambit of the understanding reached between the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China on principles and approaches for the conduct of RORE missions in Ayungin Shoal for the purpose of avoiding misunderstandings and miscalculations, without prejudice to national positions," DFA said.
DFA said it did not give prior notification to nor asked China for an on-site inspection during the mission.
A Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ship, which China said was monitoring the Philippine activity, was also at a reasonable distance away from the Philippine boat with no risk of collission, unlike before, DFA said.
During the 9th Bilateral Consultation Meeting (BCM), the Philippines and China agreed to improve existing communication mechanism when tension starts arising between troops of both in the West Philippine Sea—a part of South China Sea that Beijing still claims to be its own.
The new agreement was called "Arrangement on Improving Philippines-China Maritime Communication Mechanisms," which include, among others, a direct communication between the presidential and foreign ministerial levels of both sides.
DFA said that the lawful and routine RORE mission within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) was "a credit to the professionalism of the men and women of the Philippine Navy and the PCG."
The success of the mission also happened due to the close coordination among the National Security Council, Department of National Defense (DND) and the DFA, it added.