Philippine Navy and Marine troops aboard BRP Sierra Madre remained in high spirits and unperturbed by the incident that happened near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal on Aug. 11, when China Coast Guard (CCG) and People’s Liberation Army-Navy vessels collided with each other while harassing and trying to block Philippine Coast Guard Vessel BRP Suluan. Vice Adm. Alfonso Torres Jr., chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command (Wescom), said he recently talked with the troops aboard the Philippine Navy vessel that was intentionally grounded at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal to serve as the Philippines’ military outpost in the area.

Ticke, G. (2025, August 25). Wescom chief: Ayungin troops in high spirits. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A7.