DND: More assets to be acquired to protect territory
THE Department of National Defense yesterday said it will further intensify patrols in the disputed West Philippine Sea after President Marcos Jr declared that not a single square inch of Philippine territory will be surrendered to any foreign power.
DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said “legitimate maritime and reconnaissance patrols” have already been intensified during the Marcos administration.
“I’m sure that in the next few months that will be intensified some more because we need presence (in that area). I think the most important thing is presence,” Andolong.
“If we are there then they can do what they want,” Andolong added, referring to the other claimant countries.
The Philippines is locked in a territorial dispute with China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan over a chain of islands, islets and other features in the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea. China has been aggressive in its claim over the past several years.
Andolong said the defense department will continue the implementation of the AFP modernization program to acquire more assets needed to better protect the country’s territory and sovereignty.
“We have to make sure that we have a presence in all of these critical areas. We are going to increase our patrols (in West Philippine Sea),” said Andolong.
During his State of the Nation Address on Monday, Marcos said he “will not preside over any process that will abandon even an square inch of territory of the Republic of the Philippines to any foreign power.”
Marcos remarks gained applause from lawmakers and guests present during his address at the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City.
“The President was firm in his direction — we shall not cede an inch of our territory to any foreign power,” said Andolong, referring to the president’s address.
“To this end, the DND shall continue to pursue the modernization of the AFP and build our credible defense posture, which will allow us to further intensify our maritime and air domain awareness operations, and establish a stronger presence in our strategic border-areas and territory,” he said.
Andolong said it is important to continue acquiring assets under the AFP modernization program to equip the military with “assets that will enable us to maintain perpetual presence in our territories and borders.”
Andolong admitted that the country does not have a “credible (defense) posture” to thoroughly patrol the country’s waters.
“Eventually, we have will have that but it’s not the only answer to the issue. What is important is we communicate with our counterparts so that we maintain the status quo at least,” he said.
Andolong said “active engagements and dialogues” with other countries will be stepped up.
“Specifically, we will continue holding dialogues with our neighbors to ensure that we are on the same page and in order to avoid any misunderstanding or miscalculation especially on the high seas and in the air. That’s important,” he said.
On Marcos’ statement that his administration will adopt an independent foreign policy, with the Philippines being a friend to all, Andolong said the DND “will adhere to the President’s guidance to build stronger, multifaceted relations with our neighbors but not at the expense of our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
“This will be accomplished through active engagement and dialogues with our foreign defense and military counterparts,” Andolong also said.
