Pagasa Island folk get supplies

THE PHILIPPINE Coast Guard (PCG) has completed a humanitarian mission to Pagasa Island in the disputed West Philippine Sea, delivering provisions to the Filipinos residing there.

The BRP Batangas sailed to the municipality of Kalayaan on the island that belongs to Palawan province to bring food, fuel and other supplies from the Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy.

Commander Armand Balilo, the PCG spokesperson, said the humanitarian mission was the first carried out by the Coast Guard to Pagasa.

“This was primarily a humanitarian mission. In the past, we carried out resupply missions to the community here,” he said.

The BRP Batangas sailed 410 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa City to the island, completing the mission on Sunday.

PCG commandant Rear Adm. William Melad said the delivery included clothes, rice, canned goods, cooking oil, condiments and other grocery items, as well as fuel, an engine for a boat and gallons of paint.

Commodore Ferdinand Velasco of the PCG district in Palawan said they also delivered an aluminum boat for use by the eight PCG personnel assigned there.

The BRP Batangas also ferried some officials and other workers on Kalayaan with their families back to Pagasa Island.