M/V Lapu-Lapu docks alongside BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) during the rotation and resupply mission conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on Friday (Jan. 24, 2025). The Philippine Coast Guard assisted the mission. (Photo courtesy of the AFP)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced on Friday that it had successfully completed a troop rotation and resupply (RORE) mission for personnel stationed aboard the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) in Ayungin Shoal, located within the contested waters of the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Col. Xerxes Trinidad, chief of the AFP’s public affairs office, confirmed that the operation was coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
“The AFP, together with the PCG, remains committed to supporting our personnel by ensuring they are well-equipped, cared for, and fully prepared to carry out their duties in safeguarding our national interests, especially in the WPS,” Trinidad said.
The AFP shared a photo of the M/V Lapu-Lapu, the vessel used in the latest resupply mission.
This marks the first RORE mission 2025 for the nine Philippine-held features in the WPS, following the previous operation conducted from December 3 to 14, 2024.
The AFP reported that no untoward incidents occurred during the mission, underscoring the continued commitment of Philippine forces to maintain their presence and uphold sovereignty in the region despite persistent tensions over territorial disputes.
The BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded World War II-era ship, serves as the country’s military outpost in Ayungin Shoal. This strategic feature within the WPS has become a focal point of maritime and geopolitical interest in the region.