PH conducts first resupply to Ayungin after deal with China

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

FILE: RESUPPLY MISSION. Philippine Navy soldiers transfer essential cargoes from Unaizah May 4 and BRP Cabra to the BRP Sierra Madre off Ayungin Shoal on Saturday (March 23, 2024). (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – The Philippines successfully conducted a resupply mission to troops manning the BRP Sierra Madre on Saturday without any untoward incident, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

This is the first rotation and reprovisioning (RORE) mission since Manila and Beijing reached a critical deal after months of heightened tensions over the Ayungin Shoal, a feature situated within the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) that is also being claimed by Beijing as part of its territory.

The successful mission used the civilian vessel MV Lapu-Lapu, escorted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Cape Engaño.

“No untoward incidents were reported,” the DFA said in a statement.

“The lawful and routine RORE mission within the Philippines’ EEZ is a credit to the professionalism of the men and women of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard, and the close coordination among the National Security Council, Department of National Defense, and the Department of Foreign Affairs.”

The arrangement agreed by the two states covers the “principles and approaches for the conduct of RORE missions in Ayungin Shoal for the purpose of avoiding misunderstandings and miscalculations, without prejudice to national positions.”

The DFA has yet to release the full content of the understanding.

In a post-State of the Nation Address forum, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said the two states must give consent before either side could publicize the arrangement.

The deal was reached after a series of consultations with the Chinese side, following constructive discussions at the 9th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism meeting on the South China Sea on July 2.

It also follows the violent June 17 incident near Ayungin Shoal, where the Chinese Coast Guard blocked and boarded Filipino vessels en route to resupply the marooned BRP Sierra Madre, resulting in one Filipino soldier getting injured.