Tuloy ang rotation at reprovisioning mission (RoRe) ng Armed Forces of the Philippines sa BRP Sierra Madre sa Ayungin Shoal.
Ito ay kahit na binomba ng tubig ang barko ng Pilipinas habang nagsasagawa ng operasyon sa Ayungin Shoal noong Agosto 5.
Sa pulong balitaan sa Quezon City, sinabi ni AFP spokesman Colonel Medel Aguilar na gagawin ang RoRe sa lalong madaling panahon.
“Anyway, it’s about the rotation and reprovisioning mission that is about to take place soon, but I’m not at liberty to discuss or reveal he date; we’ll just know it later,” pahayag ni Medel.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines is duty bound to ensure the wellbeing of its personnel on the BRP Sierra Madre. We are therefore committed to the conduct of another RoRe mission for our personnel and to maintain our presence in the Ayungin Shoal. This exercise of our sovereign rights and jurisdiction is a testament to that firm belief in the rules-based international order that underpins regional peace and stability,” pahayag ni Medel.
Iginiit ni Medel na strategic importance ang Ayungin Shoal sa Pilipinas dahil nagsisilbi itong fishing ground sa mga mangingisda.
“Beyond its practical purpose the RoRe mission to the shoal is a clear demonstration of our resolve to standup against threats and coercion and our commitment in upholding the rule of law,” pahayag ni Medel.
Nilinaw naman ni Medel na ang mapayapang paraan ang nakikitang solusyon ng Pilipinas para matapos na ang agawan ng teritoryo sa China.
“As we continue to pursue this humanitarian undertaking and defend our rights over our maritime shoals, we also affirmed our support for the peaceful settlement of disputes. Whether for call on all relevant parties to abide by their obligations under international law and respect the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its maritime shores,” pahayag ni Medel.