AFP to adjust RORE missions after June 17 China harassment

This screenshot posted by the AFP shows China Coast Guard personnel wielding bladed weapons and "threatening to injure AFP troops during the humanitarian rotation and resupply mission at BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal" on June 17, 2024. Image posted by the AFP on its Facebook account

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will adjust their rotation and reprovisioning (RORE) missions at the West Philippine Sea following the June 17 incident involving the China Coast Guard.

During a Saturday Super Radyo dzBB interview, AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said the AFP would gradually shift to territorial defense and take additional precautions to avoid similar incidents of harassment.

“Ito po talaga ang focus natin is now being shifted sa ating external defense nga po. (Our focus is now being shifted to our external defense.) So, most of our resources are also being pooled toward territorial defense,” she said.

"We will be having contingency measures in place. Pinagaralan naman po natin (We are studying) how to move forward with it, and there will be changes in our operations. We have operational mix din po, iba-ibang paraan para ma-conduct natin ito (different ways for us to conduct this) successfully and safely,” she added.

The AFP would work with the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for continuous maritime patrols to protect Filipino fishermen.

“Sa kanila po yung law enforcement, and Armed Forces po with our Navy and patrols… Umiikot po ang ating mga Navy vessels at any one time sa ating territorial waters nga po, at lumilipad din po ang ating Air Force every now and then to conduct maritime patrols. If need be din po, we will be assisting the Coast Guard and BFAR in law enforcement,” she said.

(They are in charge of law enforcement, and the Armed Forces with our Navy and patrols… Our Navy vessels roam around at any one time within our territorial waters, and our Air Force will fly over every now and then to conduct maritime patrols. If need be, we will also be assisting the Coast Guard and BFAR in law enforcement.)

Padilla shared that RORE missions would continue in the future due to their importance to the Philippine forces.

“Two islands and seven features, regular pong nagco-conduct ng RORE (are regularly conducting RORE). It’s an important thing for us, for the morale and welfare of our troops, and of course to improve their living conditions. So, we will not be deterred. Tuloy tuloy nating gagawin, (We will continue to do this)” Padilla said.

"Rest assured we will be able to detect, challenge if need be, yung mga vessels na pumapasok sa ating territorial waters, (the vessels that enter our territorial waters)” she added.

When asked about the possible use of disinformation, possibly by foreign players, to erode trust in the government and national institutions, Padilla said that they take action on any misinformation and that the AFP is united against challenge.

“We appreciate na isa tong usapin that is a uniting factor for all Filipinos. So, maganda po at this point with this issue na makikita natin yung unity ng bawa’t Pilipino… Atin po ang West Philippine Sea. There are lots of instruments of national power, hindi kailangan lahat idaan sa dahas,” she shared.

(We appreciate that this discussion is a uniting factor for all Filipinos. So, it’s good that at this point with this issue, we can see the unity of each Filipino… The West Philippine Sea is ours. There are lots of instruments of national power, we don’t always have to resort to violence.) — DVM, GMA Integrated News

This article AFP to adjust RORE missions after June 17 China harassment was originally published in GMA News Online.