The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) announced on Tuesday that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have successfully conducted the follow-up rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission for troops stationed in BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
In a statement, the NTF-WPS said the resupply mission was successful despite the China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels attempting to"block, harass, and interfere."
"The latest RoRe mission was able to deliver fresh provision to our military personnel stationed on board BRP Sierra Madre," it said.
The task force noted that the Philippine Navy was on standby during the RoRe mission carried out by supply ships Unaizah May 1 and Unaizah May 2 and was escorted by PCG vessels BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan.
JUST IN: Panibagong resupply mission sa Ayungin Shoal, naging matagumpay, ayon sa NTF for the West PH Sea | via RH 52 @ednielparrosa #SamaSamaTayoPilipino pic.twitter.com/4LI5e79eQ9
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) August 22, 2023
The NTF-WPS said the RoRe mission will continue regularly as this is part of the government's "legitimate exercise of its administrative functions" in the West Philippine Sea in adherence with the United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the 2016 Arbitral Ruling Award, and domestic laws.
The task force commended AFP and PCG troops for the "determination" and "professionalism" they had shown during the mission.
LOOK: Matagumpay na resupply mission ng AFP at PCG sa Ayungin Shoal para sa mga sundalo sa BRP Sierra Madre sa kabila ng tangkang pag ‘block, harass and interfere’ ng China Coast Guard at Chinese Maritime Militia sa supply vessels ng bansa | @dzrhnews
— Christian Maño (@xtian_mano) August 22, 2023
🎥: @coastguardph pic.twitter.com/u8daPUT9l1
In a separate statement, the AFP said the successful mission demonstrated to the world that the country asserts its "sovereign rights and jurisdiction" over Ayungin shoal which is within its maritime zones.
"The AFP will support the country's fulfillment of its obligation under existing international laws and conventions. The performance of such duty shall always be in a manner that promotes peace and in adherence to International Humanitarian Law," it said.
The AFP likewise thanked Filipinos for their strong support for soldiers.
‘THE FILIPINOS HAVE A REASON TO CELEBRATE’
— Edniel Parrosa (@ednielparrosa) August 22, 2023
READ: Pahayag ng @TeamAFP matapos ang matagumpay na resupply mission sa BRP Sierra Madre sa Ayungin Shoal. @dzrhnews https://t.co/QOXp2frWTZ pic.twitter.com/urQcVAmn4T
It can be recalled that earlier this month, the first resupply mission got interrupted after China Coast Guard (CCG) dangerously maneuvered and illegally blasted water cannons on PCG vessels near Ayungin Shoal.
According to CCG, its crew used water cannons to prevent the Philippine vessels from “illegally” entering and doing “illegal activities” in the waters adjacent to Ren'ai Reef, or also known as Ayungin shoal.
