No permit from any country needed to supply WPS troops – AFP

The AFP chief of staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr (right) and the AFP Western Command commander, Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, share lunch with the troops on the BRP Sierra Madre. (Photo from the Armed Forces of the Philippines)

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) needs no permit from any country to visit or  transport supplies to troops located in Ayungin Shoal and other areas of the West Philippine Sea, according to its spokesperson, Colonel Francel Padilla, AFP spokesperson said on Monday.

“That’s our regular mission. We keep saying that we are going to provide the morale and welfare needs of our troops, including those to LS57. We do not need any permission from any country for us to do so,” Padilla said.

She made the statement after the Chinese Coast Guard announced that the Philippines had “temporary special arrangements” with China that allowed it to provide supplies to troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre (LS57).

READ: Brawner saw firsthand Chinese harassment of resupply vessels in WPS

READ: Padilla pushes acquisition of amphibious aircraft for WPS resupply missions

READ: Zubiri to US, allies: Join PH resupply missions to Ayungin

Padilla also assured that the CCG remarks would not affect AFP and that its supply mission would continue regardless of the number of Chinese vessels in the area.

Last Jan, 10, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) conducted another successful rotation and resupply mission in its outposts in the West Philippine Sea in the first few days of this year.

In a statement, PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said the BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) and BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407) conducted the activity from Jan. 3 to 9 at Lawak Island, Panata Island, and Pag-asa Island.