By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it is considering all options for resupplying troops manning the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57) at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“For every mission, there are different options available to the Unified Commander. We leave it up to him (on) what option to recommend and what’s approved to implement,” retired Navy reservist Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for the WPS, said Wednesday.
This, as interference from Chinese maritime forces prevented the regular rotation and resupply (RoRe) of troops for the BRP Sierra Madre last Sept. 24.
Trinidad declined to give specifics for security reasons but said the AFP is up to the challenge if China interferes again during the next RoRe mission.
“Well, every operation, every mission has different challenges. We face the challenges head-on. We adjust, we adapt, we plan, and we’re open to this. We’re up to the challenge,” he said.
The AFP spokesperson added that troops at the grounded vessel still have sufficient supplies, but the RoRe will continue. (PNA) | (Photo courtesy of DND)
