The Department of National Defense (DND) said Wednesday, July 24, that it is forging close defense and security relations with other countries so that the Philippines could better protect its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

DND Undersecretary for Capability Assessment and Development Angelito M. De Leon said that the country has so far formalized 33 engagements with allied and friendly nations, the latest of which is with Sweden.

“While we establish an effective maritime domain presence not oly in the West Philippine Sea but in the entire archipelago, we also engage international defense and security partners abroad,” De Leon said during the post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) discussion in Pasay City on Wednesday, July 24.

“To date, we have 33 formalized engagements, [including] Sweden which is the newest country that we’ve engaged in, and we are venturing forth into exercises with these countries,” he added.

Earlier this month, the Philippines and Japan also signed the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) which allows both countries to send military forces and equipment to each other’s territory for joint exercises.

Efforts to strengthen the country’s ties with other nations are part of the DND’s new defense concept dubbed the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC). 

The CADC seeks to develop the country’s capability to protect and secure the entire Philippine territory and exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and ensure that all the bounties of the natural resources within them will be freely reaped by the Filipinos.

De Leon said that in the pursuit of the CADC, there are certain capabilities that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) would need, hence, the DND is pursuing the “Rehorizon 3” of the AFP modernization program.

“This intends to develop our armed forces into an expert force that can be multi-domain and could address the evolving security landscape presently besetting us,” he said.

In a separate statement, DND Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the CADC aligns with the directive of President Marcos Jr. to guarantee peace in the country and stability in the region, amid challenges to territorial integrity and sovereign rights.

Teodoro said that through the CADC, the DND aims to broaden the strategic depth of the AFP to project the country’s forces within the country’s legal boundaries, up to the furthest limits of the country’s EEZ and extended continental shelf, particularly in the WPS.

“As expounded by the President, we are relentless in pursuing the modernization of the AFP, with our efforts to further developing our own capabilities as well as partnering with like-minded states to enhance our interoperability and promote regional stability,” he noted.

“All of our undertakings under the CADC to build and sustain a credible defense posture – from the capability upgrade to international partnerships – will ensure that we can protect our territorial integrity and uphold our jurisdictions. We cannot compromise our rights and the future of our country, especially in the WPS,” the defense chief added.

In his third SONA last Monday, Marcos said the Philippines “cannot yield” and “cannot waver” as it continues to defend its interests in the WPS amid China’s aggressive actions.

The Chief Executive said Filipinos have become “more conscious and strategic” in heightening aerial and maritime domain awareness in its territory.

“We are continuing to strengthen our defense posture, both through developing self-reliance and through partnerships with like-minded states,” Marcos noted.