THE Philippine supply vessels have already reached the Filipino troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Tuesday, November 23, 2021.

"Dumating na ang resupply boats sa Ayungin Shoal at nakarating na ang supply sa BRP Sierra Madre ngayong tanghali," Nograles, who serves as an acting presidential spokesperson, said in a press briefing.

On November 16, three Chinese vessels blocked and water cannoned a Philippine vessel while it was on its way to deliver supplies to the troops in Ayungin Shoal.

The Philippine vessel was damaged, resulting in the troops aborting the mission.

READ: Chinese ‘will no longer interfere’ in PH resupply mission

President Rodrigo Duterte said during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-China Special Summit, which was attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, that the government abhors the incident, stressing “it does not speak well of the relations” between the two countries.

He maintained that the disputes involving the West Philippine Sea have already been resolved in favor of the Philippines and that stakeholders should exercise utmost self-restraint, avoid the escalation of tensions and work toward the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law. (SunStar Philippines)