The military's Western Command on Sunday said it has successfully completed without untoward incident its latest resupply mission to Filipino troops manning the BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57) which is grounded and standing watch in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

Armed Forces of the Philippines' WesCom spokesperson Major Cherryl Tindog said a Chinese coast guard ship shadowed their resupply vessel and challenged its crew over the radio, there were no chasing and blocking of the latter.

"The Chinese radio challenges would claim that the sea area near the Philippine ship is 'under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China,' that they are allowing supplies to be delivered, and warned that bringing construction materials will be dealt with," Wescom said in a statement.

The radio challenges would always be followed by CCG's shadowing and close maneuvers against Philippine supply boats to try to disrupt the mission.

The Philippine supply boats, on the other hand, would respond and proceed to their planned route despite the challenges.

"Our mission team has never requested permission to conduct resupply and other maritime operations in our territory and EEZ," WesCom commander Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos said.

The recent resupply mission is the 11th this year.

Last April, China blocked the entrance of Ayungin Shoal with nets and ropes, deployed Chinese militia vessels and rubber boats, and repeatedly warned against bringing construction materials.

In May, the nets were no longer blocking the supply entrance of the Ayungin Shoal.

However, the CCG, militia vessels and rubber boats remained in the area.

Carlos reiterated the significance of the BRP Sierra Madre serving as the nearest Philippine outpost to China's military garrison on Mischief Reef.

"The Mischief garrison is in our country's exclusive economic zone and is China's closest military facility to Palawan. That is why resupply missions are critical in maintaining our presence in Ayungin," Carlos added.

LADE JEAN KABAGANI, PNA
@tribunephl_Lade