MANILA, Philippines–The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced on April 9, that the Day of Valor rotation and resupply mission for troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea concluded without incident.
The AFP conducted the mission as part of the 83rd anniversary of the Day of Valor.
The BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded at Ayungin Shoal since 1999 to assert the country’s sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone.
The AFP coordinated the mission closely with the Philippine Coast Guard.
The AFP commemorated the occasion by honoring the courage and dedication of the soldiers aboard the BRP Sierra Madre. The soldiers continue to stand guard in the contested waters of the West Philippine Sea.
The Day of Valor, known as Araw ng Kagitingan, is a national observance in the Philippines to honor the valor of Filipino soldiers during World War II.
According to the AFP, the successful conduct of the mission underscores the readiness and commitment of the military forces to protect the country’s sovereign claims.
The BRP Sierra Madre serves as a symbol of the Philippines’ territorial claim in the West Philippine Sea.
The AFP continues to maintain a presence at the shoal to assert the Philippines’ rights under international law.
