Manila, Sept. 26 -- The Department of National Defense (DND) on Saturday said the recent Chinese interference in the routine humanitarian rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to Ayungin Shoal will not deter the Philippines from undertaking similar missions in the future.

Eight Chinese vessels reportedly hampered the conduct of a RORE on Thursday, the first since the Philippines and China signed a "provisional understanding" in 2024.

"'Yung RORE na 'yan ay Philippine mission 'yan, at hindi kami maaantala (The RORE is a Philippine mission and we will not be deterred) . . . temporary setbacks, but the mission will go on," Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

The DND, Teodoro said, has alr...