HOLIDAY CHEER A Philippine Navy chopper drops Christmas packages for soldiers deployed in the West Philippine Sea. — Photo courtesy of afp Western command
The Armed Forces of the Philippines has brought Christmas to its troops stationed at outposts on the West Philippine Sea.
“Noche buena” packages, including “lechon” (roasted pig), were air-dropped by the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard and the Palawan-based Western command to military personnel posted in Kalayaan Island Group (KIG).
Apart from delivering relief goods to Pag-asa Island residents, one of two of the Navy’s most modern vessels, BRP Antonio Luna, airdropped noche buena packages for soldiers stationed at KIG using an AgustaWestland 109 helicopter.
‘Noche buena’ package
Photos and video from Western command
Meanwhile, the auxiliary ship BRP Mangyan delivered similar Christmas packages to troops at Rizal (Commodore) reef detachment.
BRP Antonio Luna handed over to a Philippine Coast Guard ship the noche buena package for troops at the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
A mission to Ayungin Shoal was previously blocked by Chinese Coast Guard Ships, which bombarded with a water cannon a wooden hulled supply boat bound for BRP Sierra Madre.
The incident caused international condemnation and prompted the Philippine government to file a diplomatic protest. The pressure caused the Chinese government to reconsider its actions in the area.