AFP, PCG complete resupply mission in Ayungin

The latest mission to supply troops on BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea was carried out smoothly despite a bigger Chinese presence in the area, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said yesterday.

- MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN

"We confirm the presence of Chinese vessels in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal during our execution of mission. Up to eight different Chinese vessels were monitored in the vicinity, but posed no threat to our mission and our personnel were able to complete the mission and sustain our presence in the shoal," AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said.

She said the M/V Lapu-Lapu "was able to deliver essential supplies to our troops in the area and completed the mission" last Thursday.

The AFP, with support from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), will vigorously perform its task of protecting the country's interests in the West Philippine Sea, and ensuring that its ouposts - like the Sierra Madre - are sufficiently provisioned, Padilla said.

The Sierra Madre is a World War II-era transport ship beached deliberately on Ayungin in 1999 to serve as military outpost.