Despite damage to PH ships, AFP says WPS resupply missions to continue

From the Palawan dock where she was tied, one would think the Unaizah May 4 just sailed in the middle of a storm.

In a way, the 46-meter long wooden resupply vessel did, after surviving a trial by water cannon from Chinese forces during a resupply mission on March 23 in the West Philippine Sea. 

Despite the increasing acts of aggression by Chinese forces, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it would continue its resupply missions to its outposts in the West Philippine Sea.

A report by Marisol Abdurahman on 24 Oras showed the severe damage suffered by the Philippine Navy-manned vessel.

From bow to stern, there was shattered glass, missing portions of the roof and splintered bulkheads courtesy of a water cannon from a Chinese Coast Guard ship last Saturday.

Inside the small ship, the mess deck, crew quarters and billeting area all sustained considerable damage. Equipment lay scattered everywhere.

The splintered and broken pieces of thick wooden posts and railing gives a good idea of how strong the water pressure was that struck the Uzainah May 4.

Hardest hit was the vessel’s bridge. The blast damaged or destroyed navigation equipment such as the GPS and radar, CCTV monitors, cameras and communications equipment that included radios and a satellite phone.

Three Navy personnel also sustained injuries during the incident that requires stitches to the face and the head.

In its current condition, the Unaizah May 4 is out of the fight that will likely continue in the near future.

AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner said the vessel is currently out of commission despite only having begun its mission of providing humanitarian services for different government agencies last year.

“It’s not seaworthy kasi nga nakita n’yo na talagang sirang sira,” he said.

A sister ship is also being repaired after suffering damage in an earlier resupply run to Ayungin.

“Inaayos din natin ang Unaizah May 1 nung nakaraan ay nagkaroon rin ng mga damages nung kami nga ni Admiral (Alberto) Carlos ang sakay. Binangga kami kaya may damage din,” Brawner said

Despite the damage to their vessels, Brawner said the resupply missions in the WPS will continue but declined to divulge additional details.

“Mag tutulong tulong kami kung paano namin gagawin ang mga susunod na resupply mission such that maiwasan natin yung insidente na merong nasusugatan,” the AFP head assured.

By doing so, Brawner said the military will continue to maintain a presence in the WPS and safeguard the country’s sovereignty at sovereign rights in the disputed region.

"Abangan ang susunod na kabanata," said Brawner.

(Wait for the next chapter.)—RF, GMA Integrated News