AFP: Yearend WPS resupply, Noche Buena delivery missions successful

This file photo taken on April 23, 2023 shows the grounded Philippine navy ship BRP Sierra Madre, where Marines are stationed to assert Manila’s territorial claims at Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, in disputed waters of the South China Sea. Manila’s resupply missions to troops on a disputed South China Sea atoll will remain purely Philippine operations, the National Security Council said July 21, 2024, after Washington vowed to “do what is necessary” to support them. (AFP)

MANILA, Philippines —  The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has successfully completed its rotation and reprovisioning (RORE) missions in the country’s nine maritime features — collectively known as Kalayaan Island Group — in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) for this year.

These maritime features consist of Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, Pagasa (Thitu) Island, Lawak (Nanshan) Island, Parola (Northeast Cay) Island, Patag (Flat) Island, Kota (Loaita) Island, Rizal (Commodore) Reef, Likas (West York) Island, and Panata (Lankiam Cay) Island.

Noche Buena packages

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea saod the highlight of their RORE missions is the delivery of Noche Buena packages to troops stationed in the WPS.

“The highlight of our RORE was the delivery of the Noche Buena packages. Our troops have high morale and I would like to tell our countrymen, the military will perform our mandate without any fanfare over sea, land or air, in the ocean,” Trinidad said in a press briefing on Tuesday.

Sovereignty, security patrols

“The year 2024 was very successful, not only for the AFP but for the entire country […]  But also on our side, we keep performing our mandate. We keep challenging all ships, not only the People’s Liberation Army Navy or Chinese Coast Guard.  Monthly, we monitor more than 12,000 ships. We issue the proper challenges and some of them reply,” he added.

In a separate statement, the Navy said that AFP’s Western Command led the transport of essential life support and sustainment provisions to troops stationed in remote outposts, “as part of the AFP’s 89th Founding Anniversary.”

“Likewise, we will not forget the sacrifices of our troops deployed in these remote stations, far from their family, this Christmas season. They are our inspiration,” AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr said. 

From January 1 to December 16 this year, the Navy official reported that the military conducted more than 300 maritime sovereignty and surveillance patrol missions in the West Philippine Sea.

He added over 100 air surveillance flights and more than 60 reprovisioning and rotation missions to the nine island features were also conducted during the said period.

Beyond WPS

This year, Trinidad said that the AFP was able “to perform its mandate amid all the challenges” not only in the West Philippine Sea but also in the northern islands and the eastern seaboard.

In addition, Trinidad also reported the sighting of two Chinese Coast Guard and two  People’s Liberation Army Navy ships near Ayungin Shoal during the first two weeks of December.