By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is pushing for stronger defense to protect Philippine territory, particularly in the face of rising regional tensions, Malacañang said on Friday.
This was after Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Thursday that Marcos has issued a directive to reshape the country’s defense ecosystem, as the Philippines currently sits at the “spearhead of threats to the international order,” citing China’s illegal actions in the West Philippine Sea.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro reaffirmed Marcos’ commitment to protecting and upholding the country’s sovereignty.
“Sinabi ng Pangulo na we will not surrender a square inch of our territory. So, hindi tayo titiklop sa ating pagpoprotekta sa parte ng karapatan natin, ng bawat Pilipino, at ng interes ng ating bansa,” she said in a Palace press briefing.
Castro said the administration’s resolve to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities is not only about securing the Philippine borders but also about enhancing internal resilience.
The move, she said, would also foster collaboration with nations that share similar values and objectives.
“Ang nais lamang din po ng Pangulo ay palawigin, palakasin ang ating puwersa para sa ating defense, and at the same time, makipag-ugnayan sa mga nasyon na may parehong values and goals. Ito’y para sa atin na din. Internal resilience ang kinakailangan natin,” Castro said.
Speaking before members of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines in Makati City on Thursday, Teodoro said the Department of National Defense would prioritize the development of strategic bases and adopt government-to-government arrangements for defense procurements and joint industrial production. (PNA)
