Manila: No Filipino soldier manning BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal will ever go hungry, a ranking Philippine Navy (PN) official said Monday, as he assured that rotation and resupply missions (RORE) to the area will persist despite possible Chinese harassments.

According to Philippines News Agency, PN spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad emphasized in an interview on PTV's "Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon" that the Navy has adequate contingency plans to respond to any coercive and aggressive actions. He assured that the troops deployed at BRP Sierra Madre will continue to receive necessary supplies, highlighting the Navy's commitment to support them consistently.

The last RORE for the BRP Sierra Madre took place in July. Trinidad mentioned that the timing for the next RORE mission will be determined by the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Western Command, leaving the decision to the commander as deemed appropriate.

Past RORE missions in Ayungin Shoal had been met with aggressive actions from China, including harassment, obstruction, and water cannon attacks. Despite these challenges, the Philippines upholds its sovereign rights over Ayungin Shoal and the broader West Philippine Sea, reinforced by the 2016 Arbitral Award that invalidated China's extensive nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea.

BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era PN vessel grounded in Ayungin Shoal since 1999, is manned by a small contingent of Filipino soldiers. It stands as a symbol of Philippine sovereignty in the area, underscoring the nation's resolve to maintain its presence and rights in the face of external pressures.