Marcos, AFP discuss marine defense

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos and military officials tackled the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept during a command conference at Malacañang on Tuesday.

This defense concept aims to strengthen the military to ensure the Philippines’ unimpeded exploration of marine resources within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

In January, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. explained that under the concept, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) would transition to guarantee Filipinos, corporations and those authorized by the government the “unimpeded and peaceful exploration and exploitation of all natural resources” within the EEZ and other areas where the country has jurisdiction.

“So rather than an inward-looking defense concept, we are evolving into a defense concept which projects our power into areas where we must, by constitutional fiat and duty, protect and preserve our resources,” he said during a Manila Overseas Press Club forum last January.

In March, Teodoro said the Department of National Defense and the AFP embarked on the implementation of the defense concept.

The Philippine Army (PA) conference on Tuesday came as the country deals with China’s incursions and aggressions in the West Philippine Sea.

It also took place after Marcos presided over a Philippine Air Force command conference on Monday that zeroed in on programs aimed at strengthening the PAF’s capability to defend the country’s sovereignty and territory.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the defense concept was the center of the latest Army command conference.

It also tackled updates on the Army’s capability development program, the agency noted.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido had engaged in a “comprehensive dialogue” with Marcos and provided him “vital” updates on the major service’s efforts to support the defense concept, Radio Television Malacañang posted on Facebook.

In 2016, a Hague-based arbitral tribunal voided China’s maritime claim, which virtually covers the entire South China Sea.

China has refused to recognize the ruling, prompting the Philippines and other countries to urge Beijing to respect the rule of law.

China has also drawn flak for harassing Filipino fishing boats and for using water cannons on vessels conducting resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre, a rusty ship that serves as a Philippine Navy installation in Ayungin Shoal.

Officials present during the Army command conference were Teodoro, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Lagdameo Jr., PCO Secretary Cheloy Garafil and AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.

Ouster plot

On Monday, Marcos reminded newly promoted generals and flag officers of the AFP to remain faithful to the Constitution.

Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV earlier claimed that two senior Philippine National Police officials were plotting to oust Marcos.

The PNP has denied any destabilization attempt.

PCG buying 5 ships from Japan

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will sign on May 17 a deal with the Japanese government for the acquisition of five 97-meter vessels.

The plan to purchase five multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) was discussed during Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya’s meeting with PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan yesterday, according to PCG spokesman Rear Admiral Armand Balilo.

“We expect the arrival of the five 97-meter MRRVs to expand the coast guard fleet around 2027 to 2028,” Balilo said.

The PCG currently has two 97-meter MRRVs – the BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) and BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) – which have been deployed to the West Philippine Sea to conduct maritime security and safety operations.

The BRP Melchora Aquino returned to the PCG’s headquarters in Port Area, Manila after participating in the recently concluded Philippines-United States Balikatan Exercise 2024.

“We welcome offers from various countries and Japan has been providing us with the most opportunities. We are very grateful for their cooperation to make sure the West Philippine Sea remains peaceful, stable and prosperous for our respective people,” Gavan said.

Philippines-Australia exercise

The “Kasangga” military exercise between the Philippines and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) started Monday in Gamu, Isabela.

Kasangga aims to enhance both forces’ capabilities in jungle and urban operations, breaching operations, tactical casualty care and jungle survival training, as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.

Participants will also share experiences in combating terrorist groups.

The exercise is being held at the 5th Infantry “Star” Division headquarters at Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz in Barangay Upi. It will end on June 21.

The ADF contingent consists of 50 personnel from the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and the Australian Army.

The PA contingent comprises 100 personnel from the 86th Infantry Battalion of the 5ID. – Helen Flores, Evelyn Macairan, Artemio Dumlao