Dahil sa problema sa makina, napilitan ang BRP Laguna (LT-501), isa sa mga tank landing ship ng Navy, na putulin ang paghahatid nito ng panibagong supply sa islang hawak ng Pilipinas sa Spratly Islands Group.

Kinumpirma ito ni Western Command spokesperson Capt. Cheryl Tindog sa panayam ng PNA nitong Biyernes.

“LT-501 (BRP Laguna) left Puerto Princesa (Palawan) last Feb. 4 (for the resupply run). They proceeded (first) to Rizal Detachment (Commodore Reef) and arrived there last Feb. 6,” aniya.

Gayunman, dahil sa masamang panahon sa lugar, nanatili ang BRP Laguna ng dalawang araw malapit sa Rizal Detachment.

National
KMP Chair Ramos sa Martial Law anniv: 'Nevel Again, Never Forget!'

KMP Chair Ramos sa Martial Law anniv: 'Nevel Again, Never Forget!'

“After two days, the ship was supposed to proceed on her next destination, however, BRP Laguna’s main engine number 2 broke down. So they decided to go back to Balabac for repairs and sailed on single engine only. They arrived there last Feb. 10. Usually, they should have arrived in Pagasa Island by this time, if the ship did not sustain engine trouble,” diin ni Tindog.

Hindi pa malinaw kung may isa pang resupply mission na gagawin kasunod ng mga problemang naranasan ng BRP Laguna.

Ang Pilipinas ay may itinalagang Marine units sa Ayungin Shoal, Pagasa (Thitu) Island, Lawak (Nanshan) Island, Parola (Northeast Cay) Island, Patag (Flat) Island, Kota (Loaita) Island, Rizal (Commodore) Reef, Likas (West York) Island, at Panata (Lankiam Cay) Island. (PNA)