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Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. speaks during a press conference in Malacanang on June 24, 2024. (Courtesy of RTVM livestream)
The national government is not inclined to publish the schedule of future rotation and resupply (RORE) mission in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said on Monday, June 24.
Teodoro said this was agreed upon when President Marcos Jr. visited the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) troops involved in the June 17 resupply mission at the Western Command (Wescom) in Palawan on Sunday.
“We reiterate that we seek neither permission nor consent from anyone in performing our sworn duties in the West Philippine Sea. In this regard, we will continue our rotation and resupply missions on a regular basis, the welfare of our troops in the BRP Sierra Madre being a matter of utmost importance,” Teodoro said in a televised press briefing in Malacanang.
“The President has reiterated that we will not publish schedules of any RORE,” he added.
Earlier, the National Maritime Council (NMC) chaired by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin recommended to Marcos that the schedule of the resupply mission should be announced if it means de-escalation of tension in the disputed areas in the South China Sea (SCS).
China, which has been persistent in blocking the resupply missions, had urged the Philippine government to “notify” them in advance whenever such operations would be conducted in the the SCS, insisting that the area where these missions occur is part of their territory.
Teodoro has previously opposed such move, saying it is within the right of the Philippine government to do anything in the West Philippine Sea without asking permission from any foreign actors.
“We also would like to categorically state [that] our policy in the West Philippine Sea has not changed. As declared by the President in numerous instances, we will not give up an inch, not even a millimeter of our territory, to any foreign power. We will continue to defend our territory and exercise sovereign rights thereon as we see fit,” he said.
The defense chief also refuted Bersamin’s remarks that the CCG’s aggression against the troops involved in the June 17 resupply mission was just a “misunderstanding or accident.”
In a resupply mission on June 17, the China Coast Guard (CCG) obstructed the Philippine Navy troops delivering food and other provisions to personnel manning the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. The incident turned violent and led to the dismemberment of the right thumb of an elite Filipino trooper.
“After our visit to our troops in Palawan yesterday, where the President personally talked to the troops involved in the RORE, we have now come to the conclusion that it was not a misunderstanding or an accident. We are not downplaying the incident. It was an aggressive and illegal use of force,” Teodoro said.
“We, however, continue to find peaceful solutions to this issue. As pointed out by the President, we are not in the business to instigate wars. The Philippines is a responsible state, we will continue to exercise our freedoms and rights in support of our national interests, in accordance with international law,” he added, quoting Marcos’ speech during his talk to the troops in Palawan.
High morale
Despite the aggression of the CCG in the WPS, the morale of the AFP troops remained high, according to Teodoro.
“I can unequivocally state, masasabi ko, na mataas ang morale ng ating mga sundalo sa harap nitong mga hamon na ito. Lalo silang naiinspire at paiigtingin nila ang pagpapatupad ng kanilang mga duties (I can say that the morale of our soldiers remains high in the face of these challenges. They are even more inspired and committed to fulfill their duties),” he said.
He said Marcos was able to talk to the troops, including “some” who suffered injuries, as well as their families.
Teodoro also mentioned the Philippine Business Groups, an association of top businesses in the country, and the Association of Generals and Flag Officers, a group of retired military officers, for their expression of support to the troops.
In a statement on June 21, the Philippine Business Groups thanked the AFP and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for their “dedication and self-sacrifice” in defending the WPS.
Meanwhile, the AGFO, represented by its president and chairman, retired vice admiral Emilio Marayag Jr. said in a statement on June 20, that they commend the “heroic and professional conduct” of Navy officers and men during the June 17 resupply mission.
“I would like to take special mention to acknowledge the various business groups like FINEX [Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines], MAP [Management Association of the Philippines], and the like that issued statements of unequivocal support. Today, I would like to thank the Association of Generals and Flag Officers for issuing a statement fully supporting the thrusts of this administration, and praising ‘yung ginawa rin ng ating Pangulo (praising what the President has done), and the professionalism and restraint in the face of adversity, grave adversity, by our troops,” Teodoro said.
“The President has said that he could not be prouder of each and every Filipino soldier and I think all of us Filipinos share that sentiment,” he added. — Martin Sadongdong
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Credit belongs to: www.mb.com.ph
