THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command successfully delivered supplies at BRP Sierra Madre stationed in Ayungin Shoal on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, without any escort nor untoward incident.
Joint Task Force West commander Captain Alan Javier said the supplies were an assortment of food, water, medicines and other daily essentials as well as maintenance and repair equipment needed there.
“The Philippine Navy-contracted commercial boats safely entered and exited Ayungin Shoal using its usual entry and exit points. This is the third consecutive resupply activity undertaken by the government with neither any escort nor untoward incident,” he said.
According to the crew of the supply boats, two China Coast Guard and five Chinese Militia vessels were cited in the area during the mission.
The Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Malapascua was conducting patrol in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) during the conduct of the resupply run.
Philippine Navy Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, commander of the AFPs Western Command (Wescom), said the successful resupply operations show the benefit of engaging in peaceful and constructive dialogues with neighboring countries, particularly China.
“The absence of Philippine Government escort vessels was deliberate. We are exhausting all available means to peacefully coexist until all WPS issues are finally resolved," he said.
"Our current thrust is part of the trust-building efforts we are undertaking in response to the guidance of the President to exhaust all means to resolve the issues in the West Philippine Sea. Hence, continuing dialogues with Chinese authorities is one such approach," he added.
In 2021, troops on a resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal were blocked and water-cannoned by Chinese vessels.
On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands ruled in favor of the Philippines and invalidated China’s claims within the sea areas falling within the nine-dash line, which is over 90 percent of WPS (South China Sea).
It also affirmed the traditional and legitimate fishing rights of Filipino fishermen in the area but China refused to accept the ruling. (SunStar Philippines)