The Philippines is aiming for a continuous, peaceful conduct of rotation and resupply (RoRe) missions for Filipino soldiers stationed on BRP Sierra Madre in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), according to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr.
Teodoro’s statement came after Philippine Navy Spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad confirmed that the last RoRe mission in the area was on June 17 when Filipino servicemen clashed with Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels in Ayungin Shoal.
Teodoro on Tuesday said the Department of National Defense (DND) is waiting for guidance from the National Maritime Council (NMC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) 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,” Teodoro explained, as the Philippines maintains its commitment to the de-escalation policy.
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 WPS. “The mandate, I think, is to de-escalate the tensions right now. They (NMC and DFA) are balancing that and we are just waiting for their word,” he said.
The DND chief acknowledged that there is a need to rotate troops stationed on BRP SIerra Madre, but he said those who are there already can stay and defend the naval outpost “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.
“Why would we order ships if we don’t have anywhere for them to dock? What good are airplanes if we don’t have hangars and fuel depots? We are already looking for tenders for added capability in cyber, in ships, and in airplanes,” Teodoro said.
Teodoro wants to make sure that public funds are fully utilized, and that every procurement of equipment for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is sustainable, adding the haphazard procurement of systems without plans on how to keep them operational would be a waste.
Also on Tuesday, Trinidad said that there were enough supplies for the Philippine troops in the area.
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