Navy eyes resupply mission to Ayungin alongside allied countries

The Philippine Navy is studying the possibility of conducting a rotation and reprovision (RORE) mission to Ayungin Shoal as part of a Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) with allied countries in the West Philippine Sea.

According to a 24 Oras report by Chino Gaston on Tuesday, a resupply mission could be part of a multilateral exercise involving several nations. In such a scenario, ships and aircraft from countries such as the US, Japan, UK and Australia could conduct simultaneous patrols with Philippine forces in the South China Sea. 

“All options are being discussed on the planning table. Once finalized, this will be submitted for approval,” said Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.

The last resupply mission by sea on June 17 ended badly for the navy after its rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) was intercepted by a dozen China Coast Guard vessels. The Chinese damaged the RHIB, seized several weapons and severely wounded a sailor. 

Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro assured RORE missions will continue soon.

“We are going to do the RORE as routinely as possible but we’ll wait for the maritime council to give us the appropriate guidance… In terms of timing and other issues, the (Department of Foreign Affairs) and the (National Maritime Council),” Teodoro said.

The Filipino troops stationed on the grounded BRP Sierra Madre are currently subsisting on supplies that were airdropped in early June. The Armed Forces of the Philippines it is still enough for the detachment. 

The US Embassy assured that they will coordinate with the country on “a wide array of issues of shared concern” as allies of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. and US Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Chairman General Charles Brown discussed the next Balikatan Exercise and upcoming signing of the General Security of Military Information Agreement or GSOMIA.

“It will also involve other upcoming talks in terms of our compliance with the GSOMIA and other matters in terms of our partnership with the US,” said AFP Spokesperson Colonel Frances Margareth Padilla. 

"It will also involve other upcoming talks in terms of our compliance with the GSOMNIA and other matters in terms of our partnership with the US,” said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson Col. Frances Padilla.

Meanwhile, US forces will retain its Mid-Range Capability missile systems in northern Luzon as part of training with the Philippine Army Artillery Regiment. This after China and Russia protested the presence of the said weapons in the country, claiming the missiles could be targeted at them. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News