DAVAO CITY – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed the successful completion of the regular rotation and reprovisioning (RORE) mission for troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on November 14, without any reported incidents.
AFP Public Affairs Office Chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad stated that the mission, supported by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), was conducted smoothly, underscoring the AFP’s commitment to safeguarding Philippine sovereignty and ensuring the well-being of personnel stationed in the West Philippine Sea.
While specifics such as the resupply vessels’ identities, the number of personnel involved, and the mission’s exact timeline were not disclosed, the AFP assured the public that necessary provisions reached the troops aboard the BRP Sierra Madre without interference.
The latest resupply marks the third successful RORE mission since a major incident on June 17, when Chinese Coast Guard vessels blocked and boarded Filipino resupply boats, leading to the injury of a Filipino sailor. Tensions have remained high since, as Philippine forces work to maintain a presence on Ayungin Shoal amid increasing Chinese activity in the region.
The previous RORE mission was completed on September 26, also without incident, highlighting the AFP’s sustained efforts to safely conduct resupply and troop rotation missions despite challenges in the contested waters.
