16 Nobyembre,2024 Sabado
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez
No to SOGIE bill
PM for any hospital discharge problem
Happy Birthday Rosita Belmonte-Jose more birthdays to come
Happy Birthday Jo Ephraim Lopez more birthdays to come
Family of the late Jocelyn “Jo” Lising-Abelgas appreciates every moments shared by friends and relatives in their bereavement
Smooth Ayungin resupply mission
By J.Lo
“AFP continues to uphold its mandate of safeguarding Philippine sovereignty and ensuring welfare of its stationed personnel in West Philippine Sea,” Col. Xerxes Trinidad, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief said, adding despite challenges, military will not be deterred from carrying out RORE and patrol missions inside country’s exclusive economic zone.
Without any untoward incident, military was able to bring food and supplies to troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre, AFP said as it announced successful rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to Ayungin Shoal.
Trinidad said RORE mission was supported by Philippine Coast Guard and was completed without any harassment or interference from China.
This is despite continuing presence of China Coast Guard vessels, People’s Liberation Army Navy ships and maritime militia boats in West Philippine Sea.
He also said that more recent RORE missions to Ayungin Shoal have been carried out smoothly, unlike in several previous attempts wherein China used water cannons, dangerous maneuvers and ramming to stop missions.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. slammed China for claiming military’s plan to upgrade its capabilities, may include acquisition of mid-range missile systems similar to the Typhon US military used during this year’s Exercise Balikatan, is wrong path.
“I think the whole world knows who is on the right path and wrong path….definitely, you know, we cannot take advice from people who distort truth and nobody believes them anyway…so, I think it’s waste of air time to broadcast claims of China because only their leadership believes in what they say anyway,” Teodoro said in chance interview.
“We have the force of international law on our side, not purely Philippine law. China does not have force of law on its side… does not have right on its side…that’s why they’re leftist,” Teodoro stressed.
Asked about impending visit of United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III to the Philippines, he said he intends to have “review of our bilateral cooperation this time.”
“It is once again opportunity to also lay down some future plans…anyway, whatever it is, it’s on institutional basis, our bilateral relations…there are mechanisms…for example, security sector assistance roadmap, bilateral strategic dialogue and other mechanisms like quad,” Teodoro said.
Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros stressed need for the country to modernize its defense posture in light of China’s maritime threats and incursions at West Philippine Sea.
In her interpellation of proposed 2025 budget of Department of National Defense, Hontiveros asked budget sponsor Sen. Ronald dela Rosa for updates on AFP modernization program, suffered P10-billion cut in House of Representatives version of national budget.
Senate proposed to increase DND budget in the House version by P2.9 billion to P266 billion.
Senators also supported restoring P50-billion proposed budget for AFP modernization, House cut by P10 billion.
ISKUP! 