The government will conduct continuous Rotation and Resupply (RORE) missions to BRP Sierra Madre in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of National Defense (DND) said.
This is after Philippine Navy Spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad’s explanation that the last RORE mission in the area was the Ayungin clash incident.
DND Secretary Gilbert Teodoro on Tuesday said the department is waiting for guidance from the National Maritime Council and the Department of Foreign Affairs for the next RORE mission.
“Right now, we are going to do the RORE as routinely as possible but we will wait for the National Maritime Council to give us the appropriate guidance, in terms of timing, and the DFA and the NMC,” Teodoro said.
There is no date yet for the next RORE mission but Teodoro believes the DFA is well aware of what to do next amid continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
The DND chief acknowledged that there is a need to rotate troops stationed on BRP SIerra Madre but that those there “can stay and to defend it as long as possible.”
He also said that part of the modernization program of the government is making sure that there are support facilities available.
Teodoro said wants to make sure that the funds of the government are fully used, and that every procurement of equipment for the AFP is sustainable, adding the haphazard procurement of systems without plans on how to keep them operational would be a waste of money.
Also on Tuesday, Trinidad said that there were enough supplies for the Philippine troops in the area. Rex Espiritu
The Philippine Navy on Tuesday meanwhile confirmed a recent report on the presence of a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel near Lubang Island. Trinidad said that the Chinese ship was on a “continuous passage” and exercised the “freedom of navigation.”
“The Philippine Navy has monitored the presence. It was a continuous passage west of Lubang Island 60 nautical miles from mainland Luzon,” Trinidad said.
Asked if it was an innocent passage, Trinidad responded, “Freedom of navigation, yes.”
Trinidad said the Philippine Navy informed the Philippine Coast Guard, Naval Forces Northern Luzon, and Naval Forces West about the patrol conducted by the Chinese vessel.
The China Coast Guard 5303 vessel was spotted near Lubang Island in Mindoro on Sunday afternoon while conducting an “intrusive patrol,” former US Air Force official and Defence Attaché Ray Powell said on Monday.
Navy personnel aboard the BRP Sierra Madre still have high morale even if there are no rotation and resupply (Rore) missions yet at the naval outpost in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) since a violent June 17 incident in the area, Trinidad added.
“The morale is high. I know this personally sapagkat mismo sinasabi ng commander ng Western Command, maraming tropa ang gusto magpunta sa BRP Sierra Madre at 8 other features,” Trinidad said in the press briefing in Philippine Air Force Headquarters in Pasay City.
The June 17 incident in the BRP Sierra Madre saw the most violent actions of China Coast Guard personnel so far, leading to what the Philippine military deemed as “looting” of its disassembled high-powered guns and even caused the thumb amputation of one of its naval personnel.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline Teodoro eyes regular rotation, resupply missions for Filipino troops in Ayungin Shoal
