AFP to troops aboard BRP Sierra Madre: Remain strong

From GMA News (Apr 14): AFP to troops aboard BRP Sierra Madre: Remain strong

Troops aboard the Philippine Navy's BRP Sierra Madre, which serves as the country's outpost on the Ayungin Shoal, were told to remain strong despite allegedly being harassed by China.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, Armed Forces of the Philippines Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said the military ship bringing in supplies for the troops were blocked several times by the Chinese government patrolling the areas.

"Nung mga nakaraang mga buwan lalo na last year ay hinaharang yung resupply," he said.

The AFP leadership has told the troops manning the ship to remain strong.

"Huwag magpatinag sa ano man na pananakot... Kami ay sundalong Pilipino; hindi tayo nagpapatinag sa sinuman na nanakot sa atin," he said.

Cabunoc said that the troops' morale remains high.

"'Yung nasa mga isla, high morale, regular naman silang na-resupply and marami tayong efforts na mapanatili ang kanilang morale sa pamamagitan ng communication," he said, noting that troops were given cellphones to contact their families.

He added that supplies are being provided to the troops regularly, along with care packages.

"Mga re-supply [at] 'yung kanilang mga personal request ay talagang pinagbibigyan natin. Maliban pa dun ay merong nagpapadala ng mga care package, mula sa ating mga kababayan locally and abroad, at pinahahatid natin dun sa kanila ang mga padala," he added.

Asked if the troops were affected by China's massive reclamation work on several disputed South China Sea territories, Cabunoc said he was not sure if the soldiers were aware of such activities, but "at all cost ay gagawin nila ang tungkulin habang sila ay nakadeploy dun sa mga teritoryo na kanilang kinalalagyan ngayon."

"'Yung ating mga sundalo positive-minded, resilient, mapagtiisin, kung ano man mayroon ay kanilang ginagawan ng paraan at handa silang gawin ang kanilang tungkulin," he added.

Earlier this month, newly published satellite images showed that China is quickly reclaiming land around a submerged reef within an area the Philippines regards as its exclusive economic zone, with several dredgers in operation and seawalls built.

A March 16 image published by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) shows what it said was a chain of small artificial land formations as well as new structures, fortified seawalls and construction equipment along Panganiban (Mischief) Reef.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/469726/news/nation/afp-to-troops-aboard-brp-sierra-madre-remain-strong