AFP troops morale higher after Ayungin incident – Defense chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 24, 2024): AFP troops morale higher after Ayungin incident – Defense chief (By Darryl John Esguerra)

HIGH MORALE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visits Camp General Artemio Ricarte - Western Command Headquarters in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on June 23, 2024. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said Monday (June 24, 2024) that the President's visit further cemented the soldiers' resolve to continue fulfilling their duty to the country. (Photo from Bongbong Marcos Facebook)

MANILA – The morale of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) troops is even higher after the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) recent aggression on Philippine boats on Ayungin Shoal, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said Monday.

In a Palace press briefing, Teodoro said Filipino soldiers were inspired even more due to the incident.

“I can unequivocally state that, na mataas ang morale ng ating mga sundalo (that the morale of our troops is high),” he said.

“Sa harap nitong mga hamon na ito, lalo silang na-inspire at paiigtingin nila ang pagpapatupad ng kanilang mga duties (In the face of this challenges, they are inspired even more to fulfill their duties),” Teodoro said.

On June 17, CCG boats rammed a Philippine government supply ship, brandished bladed weapons, and seized disassembled rifles during the country’s rotation and resupply (RORE) mission in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

During the confrontation, one Navy personnel had his thumb cut off after it got caught between Philippine and Chinese boats.

Teodoro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s visit to the troops involved in the incident at the Western Command (Wescom) headquarters in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on Sunday further strengthened the troops’ resolve.

“At ang bisita ng Pangulo kahapon ay nagsemento ng kanilang morale. Nalaman ni Presidente ang totoong nangyari, na-interview niya isa-isa, nalaman din niya ang kundisyon nila ngayon. Some have injuries, na kahalubilo niya, hindi lamang ‘yung na-injure kundi kanilang mga pamilya (The President’s visit yesterday cemented their morale. The President learned what really happened, he interviewed them one by one, and learned of their condition. He interacted with some of the injured, including their families),” Teodoro, who was with Marcos during the visit, said.

In his message to the troops, Marcos said he could not be prouder of each and every Filipino soldier for showing restraint, devotion to duty, and compassion in the face of Chinese aggression.

Outpouring of support

Teodoro thanked the public, as well as the different sectors of society, for expressing support to the AFP following the incident.

“I would like to take a special mention to acknowledge the various business groups like Finex, Management Association of the Philippines, and the like, that issued statements of support, unequivocal support,” Teodoro said.

“And today, I would like to thank the Association of Generals and Flag Officers for issuing a statement fully supporting the thrusts of this administration, and praising the professionalism and restraint in the face of grave adversity by our troops,” he added.

PH won’t allow BRP Sierra Madre’s capture

A ranking security official on Monday said Manila would not allow the BRP Sierra Madre (LS-57), which is standing guard over Ayungin Shoal in the WPS, to be boarded and captured by a foreign power.

In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said such a move would result in repercussions, adding that the outpost is “a red line that cannot be crossed”.

"Ang mga tropa natin sa BRP Sierra Madre (our troops aboard the BRP Sierra Madre), hindi sila, I'm sure (di) papayag na lusubin sila doon at sampahan ng agents of foreign power (I'm sure they will not allow themselves to be attacked and boarded by agents of a foreign power)," Malaya said.

He said the hostile act of boarding the BRP Sierra, a commissioned warship of the Philippine Navy, is an entirely different matter.

"We are committed to that installation, BRP Sierra Madre is our advance post, it is a military detachment in Ayungin Shoal. And the presence of BRP Sierra Madre confirms our occupation of Ayungin Shoal. So, may (we have) nine features, hindi tayo papayag as (we will not allow as) mention(ed) by the President very clearly, hindi mababawasan iyan (to have our territory reduced), we will not lose any square inch, any square inch of our territory," he added. (with Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1227536