President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. turned down the proposal to announce the schedule of the rotation and reprovisioning (RORE) of troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in the Ayungin Shoal.
Department of National Defense (DND) Sec. Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said on Monday, June 24, that the Philippines will continue to conduct RORE mission 'on a regular basis'.
"The welfare of our troops in the BRP Sierra Madre being a matter of utmost importance. The President has reiterated that we will not publish schedules of any RORE," Teodoro said during a press briefing in Malacanang.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said on Friday, June 21, that the National Maritime Council recommended making announcements of the RORE missions.
The NMC, which Bersamin chairs, made the recommendation after the Chinese Coast Guard hampered another RORE mission to the Philippine Navy vessel aground in the underwater reef found in the West Philippine Sea.
During the incident, Chinese Coast Guard personnel waved bladed weapons, rammed the boats used by the Philippines, and seized several equipments, including rifles, of the Filipino troops.
Filipino soldier also lost his finger during the incident.
