AFP: Resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal may resume 'within the next two weeks'

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal may resume in the next two weeks, citing the need for it, following the August 5 water cannon incident involving China Coast Guard ships.

"Sa nangyari po nung isang araw, kalahati lang po kasi yung na-unload na supply so kulang po 'yun. I'm not sure, but we need to resupply them within the next two weeks," AFP spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar told Super Radyo dzBB.

(Due to what happened the other day, we were only able unloaded half of the supplies, so that was not enough.)

"But we will see how we are going to do it dahil sa nangyayari ngayon sa (because of what is happening in) West Philippine Sea," he added.

The BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded at Ayungin Shoal since 1999. The ship, manned by more than a dozen Marines and sailors, has become a symbol of Philippine sovereignty in the offshore territory.

Aguilar said the BRP Sierra Madre remains an "active vessel of the Philippine Navy."

"Our objective is to always make sure that our troops have the food, drinks and supplies they need to do their task there. Hindi natin iiwanan ang (We will not abandon) BRP Sierra Madre," he said.

Aguilar said the government and partner agencies have already discussed various measures to accomplish the resupply mission.

In an interview earlier Tuesday, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said the national government has the option to add more and bigger vessels that will escort boats during resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre.

On August 5, the PCG said Chinese vessels made dangerous maneuvers and blasted water cannons against Philippine vessels performing the resupply mission.

PCG's 44-meter vessels BRP Malabrigo and BRP Cabra escorted the two resupply boats on their way to Ayungin Shoal. 

Due to China’s actions, one of the boats failed to bring food, water, fuel, and other supplies to military troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre.

The Philippines, in response, sent a note verbale to China to protest the incident. China's ambassador to the Philippines, Huang Xilian, was also summoned by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.

China said it had taken "necessary controls" against Philippines boats that had "illegally" entered what it calls its waters. —Sherylin Untalan/KBK, GMA Integrated News