CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City—Unaizah May 4 (UM4), a civilian vessel contracted to conduct a rotation and resupply (RoRe) operation at Ayungin Shoal, embarked again on March 22 to complete its mission to sustain Philippine troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre.
UM4 is one of two civilian vessels involved in the RoRe mission last March 5. Due to damage sustained during water cannoning by the China Coast Guard, UM4 was unable to complete its mission.
The Area Task Force West will dedicate two Philippine Navy ships, with two more from the Philippine Coast Guard as escort to UM4, to support the mission.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines emphasizes that the mission is a routine operation aimed at sustaining and rotating military personnel at Ayungin Shoal. This particular mission was set up to ensure a full troop complement on board BRP Sierra Madre after one personnel needing serious medical attention was recently evacuated. Personnel are being rotated in to ensure that BRP Sierra Madre's mission posture remains uncompromised.
This RoRe operation is again a manifestation of the AFP's resolve in rightfully and lawfully maintaining its presence at the shoal in the continued protection of Philippine sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone.
