DND: Philippines has more than 33 engagements with allied nations

The Department of National Defense (DND) said on Wednesday 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 De Leon said 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 only 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.

“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 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.