‘It has to be done’: Teodoro says PH to continue Ayungin resupply missions

PALAWAN — Top security officials on Tuesday met with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Command at its headquarters in Puerto Princesa following recent confrontations in the West Philippine Sea, including China’s interference with a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

There has been no troop rotation or resupply of necessities to the rusting, grounded ship, which serves as the Philippines’ military outpost in Ayungin Shoal, following the aggressive blocking on September 24 by three People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) warships — including two Houbei-class missile boats — and five China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the Philippines would still continue attempting to conduct the mission.

“Definitely, whatever happens, kailangan gawin (it needs to be done). That is a principle. And without disclosing details, it has to be done,” Teodoro said, adding operational matters would be up to WestCom.

Troops aboard the ship remain in high morale, according to Teodoro.

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

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

Teodoro was accompanied by AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete during the closed-door meeting, where they discussed the recent confrontations.

“The position of the Philippines is clear: 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 added.

The Philippines is also planning to put up Army presence and Air Force support facilities at the Western Command as it seeks to establish more sustainable operations in the area.

“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.)

He said the government is also working on “supporting the normalization of habitability [on] Pag-asa.”

He said the situation in the West Philippine Sea is a security issue but is also a “community-building and sustainability issue.”