The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said the routine follow-on Rotation and Resupply or RoRe mission for the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin shoal was successfully conducted on Tuesday following the recent water cannon incident that heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing.
“With the combined efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard, this latest RoRe mission was able to deliver fresh provisions to our military personnel stationed on board BRP Sierra Madre… notwithstanding attempts by China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels to block, harass and interfere with the supply mission,” it said in a statement.
The Philippine supply ships Unaizah May 1 and Unaizah May 2 were escorted by PCG vessels BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) and BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407) during the mission.
The National Security Council on Tuesday said the routine mission to the Philippine outposts within the various features in the WPS will also continue “on a regular basis.”
These missions are part of the Philippine government’s legitimate exercise of its administrative functions over the WPS, in line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS, the 2016 Arbitral Award, and domestic laws, it added.
NTF WPS Chairperson and National Security adviser Secretary Eduardo Año commended the “unfailing valor, determination and professionalism exhibited by the men and women of our armed forces and coast guard.”
“The Filipino people owe them a debt of gratitude for their commitment to place their lives on the line daily to defend our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction throughout the expanse of the WPS,” Año said.