The Marcos administration is fully committed to protecting the Philippines’ maritime interests.
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. made this remark during the inaugural “Balangay Forum” in Camp Aguinaldo on Monday, the DND said in a news release.
“What we should do, because the political leadership will is already there – no less than the President (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.) has already said time and time again that we will not waver – we will protect our maritime interests in accordance with international law, which is why in our department and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), we came up with the CADC (Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept),” Teodoro said in his speech.
He also recognized the importance of engagements, such as the Balangay Forum, and emphasized that all Filipinos have a stake in the protection of the country’s jurisdiction and rights to the resources of our maritime domain, as provided by international law.
“We should never trade short-term inflows of cash, cash inflows, for a long-term benefit in the future. Likewise, in the same way, we should also make a call to action to our local officials and other people not to be tempted by spurious offers of cash or other assistance, in order for international criminal syndicates and their ilk to have a foothold in this country,” the defense chief said.
Teodoro said such illegal actions are the “easiest way to destroy the moral fabric, economic fabric, and social fabric of this country.”
AFP dedicated to protecting PH waters
As this developed, AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the military is dedicated to protecting Philippine sovereignty and upholding the rule of law in its territorial waters.
“The AFP embarked on an extensive information operation MULAT, with the aim of raising awareness among Filipinos about what is happening at the West Philippine Sea. Aside from this, the AFP, through multilateral maritime cooperative activities, enhances its capabilities in safeguarding the nation’s maritime domain,” Brawner said during the forum panel discussion on the topic of protecting the Philippines’ maritime domain.
This forum seeks to advocate for effective and sustainable maritime governance, aiming to maximize the country’s rich marine environment and biodiversity while ensuring the security of its waters and people.
The Balangay Forum culminated this year’s Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANAMo).
Proclamation 316, s. 2017, designates September as Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month, consolidating all maritime-related events to foster awareness and appreciation of the Philippines’ maritime and archipelagic identity. (PNA)
