The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) successfully carried out another resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, days after the warship was spotted emitting a thick plume of smoke.
In a report by RH 52 Edniel Parrosa, AFP Public Affairs Chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the rotation and reprovisioning (RORE) mission on March 4 was accomplished with no “untoward incident.”
According to the report, this marks the fifth mission unimpeded by incidents such as harassment, since July of the previous year.
“This RORE was executed in close coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard and was completed with no untoward incident,” the AFP said in another statement.
Following the completion of the RORE mission, the Philippine Navy confirmed that smoke had been sighted at the BRP Sierra Madre.
Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), clarified that the smoke resulted from a February 28 fire drill.
He said that none were injured during the activity, which was conducted to ensure the warship’s survivability and operational readiness.
“The smoke incidentally went beyond what they (personnel stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre) were intending to exercise. Nevertheless, it was put under control,” the spokesperson explained.
“There was no damage to the environment, all the men aboard the ship are safe,” he added.
Trinidad also dismissed Chinese state media’s claim that the Philippine warship was polluting its surroundings, labelling it “deceptive messaging.”
