AFP to hold supply missions to 4 West Philippine Sea posts in April

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will conduct rotation and reprovision (Rore) missions to its four outposts in the West Philippine Sea in the first week of April 2024. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will conduct rotation and reprovision (Rore) missions to its four outposts in the West Philippine Sea next month.

The supply expeditions will be conducted for military stations at Pagasa Island, Kota Island, Panata Island, and Parola Island in the first week of April.

“The AFP will continue its rotation and reprovision or the Rore missions in other islands and features in the West Philippine Sea,” said AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla in a press conference.

From Feb. 18 to 21, the AFP conducted a Rore mission for military outposts at Patag Island and Lawak Island, according to Padilla, adding that the AFP and Philippine Coast Guard do Rore trips to Ayungin Shoal monthly.

Philippine authorities have observed the presence of several China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels within the vicinity waters of these maritime atolls.

Padilla said more than 50 CCG ships and fishing boats were spotted in the West Philippine Sea as of Monday, March 11.

China has been claiming that it owns almost the entire South China Sea, overlapping the West Philippine Sea – a reason that it maintains its presence at various points in the area.

However, Beijing’s claim was invalidated by the July 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.