Next supply mission to Ayungin ‘successful’ despite ‘harassment’ from China – task force
The resumption of Rotation and Supply (RORE) mission to Ayungin Reef (Second Thomas) by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday, August 22 was “successful” “.
This was revealed by the National Task Force West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), which noted that the mission was once again marked by “harassment” from the China Coast Guard (CCG).
“Despite the efforts of the Chinese coast guard and Chinese maritime militia vessels to prevent, harass and interfere with the supply mission, the supply ships Unaizah May 1” and “Unaizah May 2” escorted by PCG BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) vessels.) and BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407), have successfully completed their RORE mission,” NTF-WPS said.
A separate statement by AFP said the supply ships left the Oyster Bay Naval Detachment in Puerto Princesa, Palawan at 4pm:00:00 on August 21.PCG’s supply ships and escorts arrived at Ayungin Shoal around 09:00:August 22 at 12 noon.
They brought food, water and other essentials to troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre, which was purposely anchored off Ayungin Shoal in 1999 to serve as a military outpost.
China deployed ships again to prevent supplies to Ayungin:satellite images
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has resumed its Rotation and Resupply (RORE) mission at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Reef, but China has repeatedly ignored calls for restraint to prevent Philippine ships from carrying food food, water and other supplies for the troops on board.BRP.Sierra Madre, satellite images provided by maritime security experts show on Tuesday, August 22.
around 6 a.m., showing at least three China Coast Guard (CCG) ships and 11 maritime militia vessels occupying “blocking positions” to prevent the supply mission.
The resumption of the mission comes more than two weeks after the CCG fired water jets at supply ships chartered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and escorted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) during the August 5 mission.
Satellite images show PCG’s BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan as they approached Sabina Shoal (Escoda), located approximately 37 nautical miles or 70 km from Ayungin Shoal, for a resupply mission.
AFP spokesman Colonel Medel Aguilar said: “AFP leadership commends the brave and dedicated personnel on board the two supply ships who carried out this operation with precision.
The successful mission came two weeks after the CCG fired water cannons at supply ships during the August 5 operation.
