Philippine military successfully resupplies BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal

The Philippine military announced on Saturday that despite shadowing and radio challenges from a Chinese Coast Guard vessel, the Western Command (WESCOM) successfully rotated troops and reprovisioned the beached BRP Sierra Madre (LS 57) in the Ayungin Shoal.

Fresh supplies were delivered to the Ayungin detachment by indigenous boats Unaizah Mae 2 and 3 from June 20-22, 2022

A new batch of personnel was also posted aboard the Sierra Madre, thus sustaining the Philippine presence in the Kalayaan Island Group.

After the successful resupply mission, the WESCOM submitted reports to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on the presence of Chinese vessels in the Kalayaan Island Group.

Last December 2021, China had demanded that the Philippines remove the BRP Sierra Madre from the Ayungin Shoal.

The Chinese coast guard had also blocked and fired water cannons at a previous resupply mission, thus prompting the government to call out China at the ASEAN-China special summit. — DVM, GMA News