RoRe missions purely PH ops despite US support in WPS standoff—NSC

The rotation and resupply (RoRE) missions will be maintained as purely Philippine operations despite the options of the United States (US) to help Manila in its standoff with China over the West Philippines Sea issue, the National Security Council (NSC) said Thursday.

“As far as the RORE is concerned, we’re keeping it as a purely PH operation utilizing PH ships, personnel and leadership,” NSC spokesperson Jonathan Malaya told GMA News Online.

However, Malaya said it may change depending on the instruction from “top management.”

“That may change depending on the guidance from top management but that’s the direction or policy at present,” he added.

Malaya made the statement when asked if the Philippines is aware of the US options in assisting the Philippines amid the WPS tension and if it has demands to the US when it comes for such support.

“As far as current policy is concerned, the US as a treaty ally is assisting us in training our armed forces so we do joint exercises frequently,” he said.

“They are also helping us in our armed forces modernization and infrastructure development in select facilities through the EDCA,” he added.

Recently, two US senators asked US President Joe Biden to provide a complete list of options developed by the Pentagon and the US State Department to help support the Philippines in its ongoing dispute with China over Ayungin Shoal.

"We must respond with visible and concrete demonstrations of our support. Anything short of this risks our appearing unwilling to honor our bilateral commitments," read a July 12 letter to Biden from Senators Roger Wicker and Jim Risch.

Wicker and Risch are the highest ranking Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"We request your administration provide us with a full list of military, diplomatic, and economic options developed by the Departments of State and Defense to support the Philippines and deter further escalation by the PRC [People's Republic of China]," the letter said.

Malaya, who is also the spokesperson for the National Task Force WPS, expressed appreciation for the interest of the two US senators on the matter.

“We appreciate the interest of Senators Roger Wicker and Jim Risch to support the Philippines in our efforts to deter escalation and maintain peace and security in the region,” Malaya said.

“This, to our mind, is proof of the US’ iron-clad commitment to the Philippines and the strength of the US-PH alliance,” he added.

Tensions continue amid China’s aggressive claim in the South China Sea (SCS) including the portion the Philippines refers to as the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The SCS is a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. Aside from the Philippines, China has overlapping claims in the area with Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China does not recognize the decision.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has said Manila needs to "do more" than protest China's "illegal action" against its navy, without elaborating. —RF, GMA Integrated News