The Department of National Defense (DND) is considering the use of Philippine Navy ships to deliver supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre in the Ayungin Shoal instead of using civilian boats for the resupply mission, according to Defense Chief Gilbert Teodoro.

For now, civilian ships Unaizah 1 and 2 are loaded by the navy with supplies to deliver the Philippine commissioned ship in Ayungin Shoal, escorted by the Philippine Coast Guard, and rotated by military ships.

However, Teodoro said that the decisions will be based on the recommendation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the National Security Council (NSC), as the step is operational and depends on the situation.

He made the statement while describing the China Coast Guard's actions against pressure on Philippine ships as an ‘egregious violation’ or a serious violation of maritime security that could allegedly endanger the lives of the Filipino crew.

The Defense Secretary insists that this is proof that the modernization of not only the navy but also the PCG will protect small Philippine vessels.

Meanwhile, the navy has already used two of its new Alvarez-Class patrol vessels, which are provided by the United States.

The vessel is named the BRP Valentin Diaz and Ladislao Diwa (named for the Katipuneros) after serving in the US Navy for 30 years, including patrols in the Arabian Gulf in support of US operations in the Middle East.