BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal replenished without untoward incident — military

The Armed Forces Western Command (WESCOM) on Thursday said it has successfully resupplied BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal without untoward incident amid the reported presence of Chinese vessels.

In a statement, it said Philippine Navy-contracted commercial boats entered and exited Ayungin Shoal with neither any escort nor untoward incident for the third consecutive time on Wednesday.

“The absence of Philippine government escort vessels was deliberate. We are exhausting all available means to peacefully co-exist until all West Philippine Sea issues are finally resolved,” WESCOM chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos said.

“Our current thrust is part of the trust-building efforts we are undertaking in response to the guidance of the President to exhaust all means to resolve the issues in the West Philippine Sea. Hence, continuing dialogues with Chinese authorities is one such approach,” he added.

The military statement said the crew of the Philippine supply boats recalled supposedly seeing two China Coast Guard and five Chinese militia vessels in the area.

According to WESCOM, the Philippine government will sustain the morale and welfare of BRP Sierra Madre sailors even with the presence of Chinese vessels in the contested waters.

“Today’s successful operations only show that if we continue to engage our neighbors in peaceful and constructive dialogues, we will understand each other better,” Carlos said.

“We look forward to more interaction with China as our two governments seek a peaceful resolution to this regional impasse,” he added.

The Philippine military resupplied BRP Sierra Madre with food supplies, water, medicines, other supplies, as well as maintenance and repair equipment.

“This resupply mission is the10th that WESCOM has conducted this year and the fourth since President Bongbong Marcos has taken the helm as the Commander-in-Chief. The situation since then has remarkably improved,” WESCOM spokesperson Major Cherryl Tindog said in a separate statement. — RSJ, GMA News