AFP resupplies Ayungin troops sans disturbance

The Philippines held a successful maritime resupply mission—the first this year—to troops at the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippines Sea, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Friday.

Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, spokesperson for the AFP, said it was “mission accomplished” after the resupply mission by sea on Jan. 20 and Jan. 21 was postponed due to a technical problem on one of the civilian supply boats.

A senior military officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, earlier said the military airdropped supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre ship after the resupply by sea was postponed.

“Today (Friday), we executed a flawless rotation and resupply operation for BRP Sierra Madre. Teamwork, precision and dedication at its best,” Padilla said in a Viber message to the Inquirer.

She also posted the same statement on her official X account (@AFPspokesperson) but was later deleted.

She told the Inquirer that the Philippine resupply vessels were “not blocked” by Chinese ships in the area, adding that “no untoward incidents” happened.