Philippines will not publicize info on RORE missions anymore
The Philippine government will no longer publicize any information about Filipino troops' routine and resupply (RORE) mission in the West Philippine Sea amid continued harassment they experience at sea.
National Security Advisor Eduardo Año disclosed this on Monday, June 24, following an approval from the President that was upon the recommendation of the National Maritime Council.
"The president decided there will be no publication at all in the future. But RORE is a regular and routine activity of the government to resupply our soldiers," Año told reporters.
Año pronouncement came as Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said the Philippines does not need any consent from anybody to exercise its rights in the West Philippine Sea.
"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," Teodoro said in a press conference.
Meanwhile, the Philippine government backpedaled its previous stand that the recent clash between Philippine and Chinese troops in the West Philippine Sea, which led to serious injuries of Filipino troops, was just a "misunderstanding."
Teodoro, who joined President Marcos during his visit to the wounded troops in Palawan on Sunday, said the government is not downplaying the incident.
"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.. It was an aggressive and illegal use of force," Teodoro said.
During Marcos' visit, Teodoro said the President talked to the troops to express his support for their courage and dedication to defend the country's territory.
"As he mentioned in his speech yesterday, and I quote, 'History itself can tell that we have never, never in the Philippines yielded to any foreign power,'" he said.
"'We owe to our forefathers the duty to keep the freedoms that they fought, bled and died for, and that they presently enjoy,'" Teodoro added, quoting the President.
Teodoro said that Marcos vowed that the government will continue defending our territory and the welfare of the country's troops will be given utmost importance.