Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said on Friday, September 9, that the mission to resupply on board BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal was successful.

"Yes, successful ang pag-resupply," said Brawner.

This marks the third resupply mission of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to BRP Sierra Madre.

It can be recalled that on August 5, PCG was blocked by Chinese vessels as it engaged in dangerous maneuvers and water canon blasting.

On August 22, the PCG also successfully delivered supplies to BRP Sierra Madre.

Meanwhile, an expert from United States security earlier tweeted that the 10 maritime militia vessels were blocking entrance to Ayungin Shoal.

"China's own AIS-tracking site (http://ais.msa.gov.cn) shows 2 smaller militia Qiong Qio Ghai Yu 11003 & 11004 also helping block entrance to Ayungin Shoal, in addition to 8 Qiong Sansha Yu ships noted above. Also cargo ship Chang Zheng 1 Hao for unknown purposes," Powell said in a tweet.

"Previous resupply missions encountered 'dark' China Coast Guard ships (not broadcasting automatic information system, or AIS). Unclear if dark ships present today, but forward deployment of so many militia ships suggests fewer CCG than before," he added on the thread.