MANILA, Philippines – May babaguhin ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sa kanilang rotation and reprovisioning (RORE) missions sa West Philippine Sea kasunod ng insidente ng harassment ng China Coast Guard noong Hunyo 17.
Sa panayam ng DZBB, sinabi ni AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla na dahan-dahang lilipat ang AFP sa territorial defense at magdaragdag ng iba pang pag-iingat upang maiwasan ang mga kahalintulad na insidente.
“Ito po talaga ang focus natin is now being shifted sa ating external defense nga po. So, most of our resources are also being pooled toward territorial defense,” ani Padilla.
“We will be having contingency measures in place. Pinagaralan naman po natin 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 successfully and safely,” dagdag pa niya.
Makikipagtulungan ang AFP sa Philippine Coast Guard at Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources para sa patuloy na pagpapatrolya at pagprotekta sa mga mangingisdang Pinoy.
“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,” sinabi ni Padilla.
Ibinahagi rin nito na magpapatuloy ang RORE missions dahil sa kahalagahan nito sa mga pwersang Pinoy.
“Two islands and seven features, regular pong nagco-conduct ng 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,” ani Padilla.
“Rest assured we will be able to detect, challenge if need be, yung mga vessels na pumapasok sa ating territorial waters,” dagdag nito.
“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,” pagpapatuloy pa niya. RNT/JGC
