Latest resupply mission successful, says PCG

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has conducted successful resupply mission at three Philippine-occupied islands in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the South China Sea, the agency said yesterday.

It said the “successful” missions were carried out by two PCG vessels from January 3 to 9, at Pag-asa, Lawak and Panata islands.

It said the PCG vessels, BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan, are now back in Bataraza, Palawan after the delivery of the “essential supplies” to PCG units at the three islands.

Asked if the mission was harassed by Chinese vessels, PCG spokesman Rear Adm. Armando Balilo said, “There was shadowing.”

On whether the Chinese subjected the PCG vessels to dangerous maneuvers and water cannoning, Balilo said, “There was none, but they were shadowed.”

Chinese vessels have subjected to harassment, including dangerous maneuvers and water cannoning, resupply missions at Ayungin Shoal, another Philippine-occupied feature, in the past months.

The last Chinese harassment of a Philippine resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal was on December 10, carried out by supply boats Unaizah Mae 1 and M/L Kalayaan and Philippine Coast Guard ships BRP Cabra and BRP Sindangan.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr, who joined the mission, was on board Unaizah Mae 1 which was subjected to dangerous maneuvers and water cannoning. A Chinese Coast Guard vessel later rammed the supply boat.

In the PCG statement yesterday, PCG commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan said PCG facilities at the islands will “undergo improvements this year.”

“He (Gavan) shared that the PCG will utilize its Fiscal Year 2024’s additional budget for infrastructure development to boost response and monitoring capabilities in the WPS,” the statement said.

Capt. Dennis Labay, commander of the Coast Guard District Palawan, commended the personnel assigned in the WPS, especially during the holiday season, for their dedication to duty.

“While we fully understand that it is part of their job, we also want to lift their morale by allowing them to see their families after performing their duties for the nation. Then, they will prepare and be ready to be deployed again,” said Labay.