Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (center) —Photo courtesy of the Department of National Defense

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will push through with rotation and resupply (RoRe) missions to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal despite Chinese interference that forced the military to suspend its latest attempt nearly two weeks ago, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said.

“Definitely, whatever happens, kailangan gawin (we need to do it). That is a principle,” Teodoro told reporters on Tuesday during a visit to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Command (WestCom) headquarters in Puerto Princesa City.

“And without disclosing details, it has to be done,” he added.

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READ: US hits China over interference in PH resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal

Teodoro declined to discuss plans for the next RoRe mission to the BRP Sierra Madre, saying operational control rests with WestCom.

“’Yan ay kailangang gawin, and nakahanda kami kung saan man, ano man ang plano ng WestCom tungkol diyan,” he said.

(That has to be done, and we are prepared for whatever WestCom’s plan may be.)

The AFP suspended its Sept. 24 RoRe mission to the Sierra Madre after Chinese naval and coast guard vessels challenged Philippine ships much farther from Ayungin than in previous missions.

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The military later said three People’s Liberation Army Navy warships, including two Houbei-class missile boats, and five China Coast Guard vessels were monitored during the mission.

Philippine vessels were challenged about 111 kilometers from Ayungin. Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, earlier said resupply missions had previously managed to reach within about 15 to 19 kilometers of the shoal before encountering Chinese interference.

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‘Absolute right’

Teodoro said the Philippines’ position remained unchanged despite the latest confrontation.

“We have an absolute right to do any lawful activity within our exclusive economic zone without the interference or consent of any other foreign power,” he said.

Ayungin is within the Philippines’ 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

The Sierra Madre, a World War II-era landing ship deliberately grounded at the shoal in 1999, serves as the country’s military outpost there.

Asked about the troops stationed aboard the aging warship following the suspended mission, Teodoro said their morale remained high.

“Nakaranas na sila ng ganito noong araw, hindi na bago sa kanila,” he said.

(They have experienced this before. This is nothing new to them.)

Teodoro visited WestCom with AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete to receive updates on its operations, including activities in the West Philippine Sea and plans to strengthen the military’s presence in Palawan.

He confirmed that recent confrontations in the West Philippine Sea were discussed during the closed-door meeting but declined to disclose operational details.

Bigger military presence

The defense chief also called for a stronger and sustained military presence in Palawan, including plans for at least a brigade-sized Army presence in the province.

In a statement on Teodoro’s visit, the Department of National Defense said he sought a “significant and meaningful” presence of the military’s three services in the area to support territorial defense, internal security, disaster response and deterrence against unlawful activities.

“Palawan is the last frontier, right? Let’s make sure that it is the last frontier,” Teodoro told WestCom personnel, according to the DND.

The department said efforts were also underway to strengthen the presence and capabilities of the Philippine Army and Marine Corps in Palawan, including a sustainable growth plan for the Marines.

“A Marine Corps is not a Marine Corps if it has no mobility. And that is what we must work hard to allow them to sustain their lethality, their firepower, and their mobility, particularly now in the eastern seaboard where there is no significant presence,” Teodoro said.

In his interview with reporters, Teodoro said officials also discussed Air Force support facilities as the government lays the groundwork for more sustainable operations in the West Philippine Sea.

“At the end of the day, in the future, hindi natin puwedeng panatilihin na ganito lagi ang estado ng ating WPS,” he said.

(At the end of the day, in the future, we cannot keep the situation in the West Philippine Sea this way.)

Teodoro said officials also discussed supporting the “normalization of habitability” on Pag-asa (Thitu) Island, the largest Philippine-occupied feature in the Kalayaan Island Group.

“The issue sa Pag-asa, it’s not totally a security issue na. It is a community-building and sustainability issue,” he said.

Jinan University

Teodoro also rejected criticism that he was attacking Chinese schools following his recent remarks about Jinan University.

“Hindi natin ina-attack ’yung Chinese schools,” Teodoro said. (We are not attacking Chinese schools.)

He said his concerns were specifically about Jinan University, citing its Philippine Studies Center, where he said teachers were trained, and an academic study concerning Batanes that came from the university.

ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio had criticized Teodoro’s remarks, saying he was amplifying a narrative first raised by maritime security analyst Ray Powell.

Teodoro rejected the suggestion that the government was merely relying on Powell, saying Philippine authorities conduct their own research and information-gathering.

“’Yung ating mga pag-aaral at pagkalap, pagsaliksik, hindi nanggagaling sa isang tao ’yan,” he said.

(Our studies, information-gathering, and research do not come from just one person.)

Teodoro said the government was not accusing anyone but maintained that the matter deserved scrutiny.

“Wala tayong pinaparatangan. Sinasabi lang natin na kailangan masusi nating pag-aralan ’to,” he said.

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(We are not accusing anyone. We are only saying that this needs to be studied carefully.) /cb