MANILA, Philippines- Nakapagsagawa ang Pilipinas ng rotation and reprovisioning mission sa BRP Sierra Madre sa Ayungin Shoal nitong Sabado nang walang “untoward incidents,” base sa Department of Foreign Affairs.
Sinabi ng DFA na ang resupply mission ay isinagawa ng chartered vessel MV Lapu-Lapu kasama ang BRP Cape Engaño ng Philippine Coast Guard bilang escort.
“It was the first RORE mission conducted under the ambit of the understanding reached between the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China on principles and approaches for the conduct of RORE missions in Ayungin Shoal for the purpose of avoiding misunderstandings and miscalculations, without prejudice to national positions,” pahayag ng departamento.
Kapwa sinabi ng Manila Beijing na nagkasa ang mga ito ng “temporary” agreement sa resupply trips sa BRP Sierra Madre matapos sumang-ayon ng dalawang panig na magtulungan upang ibsan ang tensyon sa South China Sea, kabilang ang West Philippine Sea na saklaw ng exclusive economic zone at continental shelf ng Pilipinas.
Matatandaang naharap ang mga nakaraang resupply missions sa dangerous maneuvers at paggamit ng water cannons ng China Coast Guard at ng mga barko ng maritime militia ng China.
Nagresulta pa ang komprontasyon sa pagitan ng Filipino at Chinese boats noong Hunyo 17 sa pagkaputol ng daliri ng isang Pilipino matapos salakayin ng Chinese personnel ang sinasakyang bangka ng mga ito.
“The lawful and routine RORE mission within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is a credit to the professionalism of the men and women of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard, and the close coordination among the National Security Council, Department of National Defense and the Department of Foreign Affairs,” anang DFA nitong Sabado. RNT/SA
