DEPARTMENT of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gibo Teodoro emphasized that the June 17 incident at Ayungin Shoal was not a “misunderstanding” or an “accident”.
These pronouncements are contrary to the first statement of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin last week.
“No, well this was probably a misunderstanding or accident, we are not yet ready to classify this as an armed attack,” according to Lucas Bersamin, Executive Secretary.
“We see the latest incident in Ayungin not as a misunderstanding or an accident. It is a deliberate act of the Chinese officialdom to prevent us from completing our mission,” said Sec. Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., DND.
Teodoro also emphasized that the government does not underestimate such an incident.
He said it is an aggressive and illegal use of force by China.
The Philippines once again stood firm that the country will not surrender even an inch or millimeter of its territory to any foreign power.
“We will never subjugate and oppress anyone. We would also like to categorically state that our policy in the West Philippine Sea has not changed,” said Teodoro.
However, the DND chief announced that the Philippines continues to seek a peaceful solution to this issue and will not incite war.
Philippines’ RORE mission in Ayungin Shoal will no longer be publicized—DND Chief
Meanwhile, Teodoro announced that President Bongbong Marcos rejected the recommendation of the National Maritime Council (NMC) to publish a schedule of rotation and resupply or RORE missions in Ayungin Shoal.
The secretary emphasized that the Philippines does not seek permission from anyone when it comes to its sworn duties in the West Philippine Sea.
Secretary Año, on the other hand, announced that the Philippine government will regularly continue the RORE missions.
“The president has decided there will be no publication RORE. But RORE is a regular and routine activity of the government in BRP Sierra Madre,” stated Sec. Eduardo Año, National Security Adviser.
Moreover, AÑO gave a response to Senator Francis Tolentino’s suggestion to convene the National Security Council (NSC) to meet the competent response to what China did on June 17.
“I think, it’s about time that the President considers convening the National Security Council considering that Executive Order 115, circa 1986, can now be invoked. This is imperative because it now involves our country’s peace and security,” said kay Sen. Francis Tolentino.
“At this moment, we are not recommending for the convening of the National Security Council, however, the president has the discretion to convene the full council or the exec committee anytime,” added Año.
For its part, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) responded to the question of whether the Chinese envoy had been summoned in connection with the incident.
“There is – there is this certain moves except that the Secretary will be here later tonight and that things will kick in on the possibilities,” stated Usec. Ma. Theresa Lazaro, DFA.
