New tactics eyed in resupply mission

A month after getting disrupted by the Chinese, another supply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal is being readied, with a number of options being considered to make it safe from Chinese harassment including by holding it simultaneously with a joint sail with allied navies, Philippine Navy spokesman Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said yesterday.

- MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN

"We are in close contact with Western Command. The moment that it will be finalized by them and approved for execution, we will know from the public affairs side and we will be informing everybody appropriately," Trinidad said in an interview over dzBB.

The Western Command's jurisdiction covers areas in the West Philippine Sea where most Chinese incursions took place.

Trinidad said authorities are still working on the details of the next rotation and resupply (RORE) mission, including possibly carrying it out simultaneously with a maritime cooperative activity with the US.

"It's not yet approved, it's just one of the many options being considered and a final approval will come from the top," he explained.

Trinidad said the AFP is looking at all possible contingencies and would be making recommendations to the higher ups.

The last RORE mission on June 17 was marred by China Coast Guard (CCG) personnel's boarding of Filipino boats and destroying their navigational and communication equipment using bladed weapons and clubs. The Chinese also stole disassembled firearms. The scuffle that ensued hurt several Filipinos, with one losing a finger.

Trinidad said that there have been fewer CCG, People's Liberation Army Navy and maritime militia vessels since the Philippines and China engaged in a Bilateral Consultative Mechanism meeting earlier this month.

However, China's "monster ship," the biggest coast guard vessel in the world, remains around Escoda Shoal where a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel is also stationed.

Trinidad said the Philippine Navy continues to issue radio challenges to ships monitored in the area inside the country's exclusive economic zone.

The monster ship, he said, is at a "safe distance" from the PCG ship, some five to eight miles away.

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