We are no longer just fighting rebels in the mountains. Our focus is clear: defend what is ours, especially in the West Philippine Sea.” That’s a bold statement from Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., and it marks a historic turning point in the Philippines’ national defense strategy. For decades, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been focused on internal threats, insurgents, local terrorism, communist guerrillas. The entire military structure, from training to operations, revolved around land-based conflict and counter-insurgency. But today, that era is officially over.
Now, under the leadership of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the Philippines is making a major policy shift, a move that turns our sights outward. This administration is prioritizing external and territorial defense, with the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as ground zero. And let’s be honest, this couldn’t have come at a more critical time.
China is becoming more aggressive by the day. In the first half of 2025, over 350 Chinese maritime militia and coast guard vessels have been reported swarming around disputed areas in the South China Sea. Filipino fishermen are being harassed. Our coast guard ships are being blocked and water-cannoned. And worst of all? China continues to ignore the 2016 Hague ruling that favored the Philippines. “How long will we let them trample on our rights?” one veteran officer asked. “If we don’t stand now, we might never get another chance.” That’s why this shift matters. This isn’t just about moving troops. This is about redefining the role of our military, reclaiming national pride, and enforcing what international law already says is ours.
Under this new strategy, the Philippines is investing heavily in maritime security, aerial surveillance, and military alliances. We’re talking about new radar systems, missile-capable patrol vessels, and drones that can keep eyes on the vast waters of the WPS. Just this year, the Balikatan 2025 exercises became the largest joint military drill in our history, with 20,000 troops from the U.S. and Philippines working side by side.
Not to mention, Japan and Australia are stepping in to offer support, with new defense pacts and freedom of navigation operations. This isn’t just about weapons. It’s about presence, showing the world we’re not backing down. And here’s the best part: the Filipino people are behind this. A recent Pulse Asia survey shows that 68% of Filipinos support a stronger military presence in the WPS. Another 72% see China as the number one external threat to our nation’s sovereignty. That’s not just a statistic, that’s a collective voice calling for action.
Secretary Teodoro made it clear: “We will never surrender what is ours. We fight not only with weapons but with international law, alliances, and national will.” And let’s not forget: we already have legal victory on our side. The Permanent Court of Arbitration’s 2016 ruling invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea. That ruling isn’t just a document, it’s a global legal weapon, and the Marcos administration is finally wielding it with purpose.
This new defense posture is more than a military strategy. It’s a message, to China, to ASEAN, to every Filipino. We’re not pushovers. We’re not silent. And we’re done playing defense. So now, the question isn’t just “What will China do?” The real question is: “Will the Philippines finally rise to meet this challenge head-on?” Because this time, it’s not about waiting. It’s about owning our future, defending our seas, and showing the world that the Philippines stands its ground.
What do you think? Is this shift long overdue? Should we push even harder in the West Philippine Sea? Let us know in the comments. And if you’re ready for more truth-telling, fact-backed, no-fluff breakdowns, follow and hit that bell so you never miss what’s really going on in our region.
From Land to Sea: The Philippines’ Big Defense Shift Under Marcos
For years, the Philippine military fought a war that was mostly hidden from the sea. It was about the jungles. The rebels. Insurgency. The AFP was trained to hunt down communist guerrillas and terrorist groups deep in the mountains. That was the priority, internal defense. Until now. Under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., something huge is happening. Quietly but firmly, the Philippines is shifting its entire defense posture toward something long overdue: external and territorial defense. And at the heart of that shift? The West Philippine Sea.
“We will not yield even an inch,” President Marcos declared, his voice resolute during a national address this July 2025. “We will stand unyielding and resistant to Chinese aggression.” No fluff. No hesitation. Just a firm commitment to defend what’s ours, our territory, our seas, our people. This isn’t just a policy tweak. This is a redefinition of the very soul of our Armed Forces.
The mission area for the military has now expanded dramatically, covering nearly two million square kilometers of maritime domain. Think about that. Our waters are now the new frontline. From the coast of Palawan to the farthest edges of the EEZ, the AFP is being trained, equipped, and mobilized to protect our maritime sovereignty. But here’s where it gets real: the government isn’t just talking about action, it’s writing it into law. As of July 2025, three major pieces of legislation have been signed into law to back this pivot.
The first is Republic Act 12064, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act. This defines, once and for all, what waters belong to us, our internal waters, our archipelagic waters, our territorial sea, our contiguous zone, our EEZ, and our continental shelf. It’s fully aligned with international law, especially UNCLOS, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. In simple terms: this act draws our maritime borders with legal precision and global credibility.
Next comes Republic Act 12065, the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act. Now, this one’s crucial. For decades, foreign ships, especially military vessels have been passing through our waters like they owned them. No rules. No coordination. But this new law changes the game. It establishes official sea lanes and air routes for the passage of foreign ships and aircraft. In short? You can’t just cruise through our backyard anymore without following our rules. It’s about asserting control, not aggression, but regulation.
And finally, there’s Republic Act 12024, the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act. This isn’t just defense, it’s national pride. The law revives our local defense industry, encouraging the homegrown production of military equipment, weapons systems, and surveillance tech. For the first time in decades, we’re investing in our ability to defend ourselves with our own hands. It’s not just about buying jets and boats from abroad, it’s about building them here, with Filipino engineers, Filipino workers, and Filipino brains. This is what a serious country does. It defends itself. It asserts its rights. And it prepares not just for war, but for peace with strength.
What’s most striking about this shift is that it comes with a sense of quiet urgency. The situation in the West Philippine Sea isn’t theoretical anymore. Chinese coast guard ships are regularly harassing Filipino boats. Our fishermen are being blocked, followed, and even blasted with water cannons. The AFP is now tasked with protecting not just the idea of sovereignty but the day-to-day survival of our people at sea.
And the Filipino public? They’re paying attention. More than 68% now support a stronger military presence in the WPS, and 72% see China as the top external threat, according to a national survey this month. This isn’t just a policy shift, it’s a national awakening.
So where do we go from here? The laws are in place. The mission is clear. The enemy, if not declared, is obvious. But the question now isn’t whether we’re prepared. It’s whether we’re committed. Because defending the West Philippine Sea isn’t just about ships and soldiers. It’s about our future. It’s about dignity. It’s about telling the world: This is who we are. And this is what we stand for.
The Philippines Isn’t Standing Alone Anymore: How Marcos Is Building Global Alliances to Defend Our Seas
In the face of growing threats in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines is no longer keeping quiet, and it’s no longer standing alone. Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a new kind of foreign policy is taking shape, bolder, clearer, and more deliberate. For the first time in a long while, the Philippines isn’t just reacting to regional tensions. It’s taking the lead.
Diplomacy, once quiet and cautious, is now proactive. The Philippines is working closely with key global partners to defend not just its territory, but the very idea of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), a legal framework that defines the world’s oceans and the rights of nations within them. And President Marcos? He’s not mincing words. He’s actively reaching out, aligning, and building a coalition of countries that believe in the same principles: peace through strength, freedom of navigation, and respect for sovereignty.
At the center of this global strategy is our longest-standing ally, the United States. The alliance isn’t just intact, it’s stronger than ever. As of July 2025, both nations have reaffirmed the “ironclad” commitment of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. That means if one is attacked, the other will respond. It’s not just symbolic, it’s a shield. And beyond that, the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) are in full swing, bringing American troops, equipment, and infrastructure back into play across key Philippine bases.
What’s more, the EDCA sites, once limited to five, have now expanded to nine strategic locations across the country. These serve as both humanitarian hubs and forward operating points for rapid response, whether for typhoon relief or territorial defense. And just this month, President Marcos met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. Yes, Trump is back in office and their meeting made global headlines. They shook hands on a shared vision for regional stability and greenlit plans for a U.S.-funded ammunition production and logistics hub in Subic, a move that signals long-term cooperation, not just visits and drills.
But here’s where things really start to change: the Philippines isn’t putting all its weight on one ally. The Marcos administration is actively building ties with other like-minded nations, countries like Japan, Australia, South Korea, and even Canada. These relationships aren’t just ceremonial, they’re backed by joint naval patrols, technology exchanges, and shared intelligence. It’s part of a broader strategy to surround ourselves with nations that believe in a free and open Indo-Pacific, where no single country, no matter how powerful, can bully its neighbors or rewrite international law.
Even within the region, President Marcos is stepping up. At a recent summit, he issued a direct call to ASEAN, urging the bloc to “take decisive action” in finalizing a long-delayed Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. No more stalling. No more silence. The President made it clear: if ASEAN truly wants peace, it must safeguard maritime rights, promote regional stability, and prevent the kinds of miscalculations that could lead to open conflict.
But beyond the meetings, agreements, and headlines, there’s a deeper theme emerging. The Philippines is putting its full weight behind a rules-based international order. Not because it’s fashionable. But because it’s just. In a world where some countries ignore boundaries and try to dominate by force, the Philippines is taking a stand, for diplomacy, for legality, and for regional cooperation. And with that stand, we’re finding allies who are ready to stand with us.
This isn’t the Philippines of ten years ago. This is a country that’s no longer on the sidelines. It’s in the arena, building friendships, strengthening defenses, and telling the world, “We believe in peace, but we’re ready to fight for what’s right.” So, for the first time in a long time, it feels like we’re not alone in the sea.
The West Philippine Sea Dispute: Why It’s More Than Just a Map
If there’s one issue that cuts to the heart of Philippine sovereignty, identity, and dignity, it’s the West Philippine Sea. It’s not just a body of water. It’s a battleground for truth, law, and national pride. Back in 2016, something historic happened. The Philippines stood up to a superpower and won.
In a landmark case brought before an arbitration tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, the Philippines challenged China’s sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea, specifically the so-called “Nine-Dash Line.” The ruling? Clear, unanimous, and bold: China’s claims had no basis in international law under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
It was a legal victory celebrated around the world. Except in one place, Beijing. China flat-out rejected the decision. Officials dismissed it as “illegal, null and void,” even calling it a “piece of waste paper.” And from that day until now, China has chosen to ignore international law, continuing aggressive actions in contested waters as if the ruling never existed.
But here’s the thing: Manila hasn’t backed down. Year after year, administration after administration, the Philippines continues to assert its sovereign rights, firmly standing by the 2016 ruling. For the Marcos government and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., this ruling isn’t just a diplomatic tool, it’s a cornerstone of maritime policy, a legal sword we have every right to use.
But China has doubled down. In August 2023, it released an updated version of its infamous map, this time showing a “Ten-Dash Line” that not only includes parts of the West Philippine Sea, but also Taiwan. This isn’t just cartographic arrogance, it’s an open challenge to the sovereignty of multiple countries. And Teodoro wasn’t silent about it.
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“Might I highlight to our people,” he said, “that their claim is not merely sovereign rights but indisputable sovereignty and territorial integrity over all waters within the Nine-Dash Line. While in accordance with UNCLOS, our claim is sovereign rights. So there is a big difference in that.”
What’s happening here isn’t a misunderstanding. It’s a direct clash between international law and authoritarian ambition. And Teodoro, reflecting the mood of many Filipinos, has made it clear, there is deep skepticism about China’s intentions. “There is no good faith on China’s part,” he stated. “Unless they change that position, it is totally unacceptable and illegal.” Sadly, China’s behavior backs up that skepticism.
Just this month, July 2025, the world watched as Chinese Coast Guard ships used water cannons and dangerous maneuvers against Philippine resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded ship serving as a military outpost at Ayungin Shoal (also known as Second Thomas Shoal). These weren’t isolated incidents. These were deliberate acts of intimidation. And now, it’s escalating further.
China’s Coast Guard Order #3, passed in 2024, gives its forces new power: the ability to detain foreign vessels and crews in any waters China claims as its own. Which, based on their flawed and illegal map, includes huge portions of the West Philippine Sea. This isn’t just a policy, it’s a threat. One that targets Filipino sailors, fishermen, and even civilians.
And while China continues to militarize reefs and artificial islands in the region, installing radars, runways, missile systems, and warships, the Philippines faces a difficult but necessary choice: fight for what’s ours, or watch it be slowly taken away.
This is why the 2016 arbitral ruling matters. It’s not just about history, it’s about our present, our future, and the legal right to what belongs to us. The West Philippine Sea dispute is no longer a diplomatic issue. It’s a national concern, a regional flashpoint, and possibly the biggest geopolitical test of our generation.
And the question remains: Will the world enforce the law, or let it be erased? Because one thing is certain, the Philippines will keep standing its ground. Whether through diplomacy, legal channels, or defense patrols, we are not giving up the fight for our seas.
Modernizing the AFP: Is the Philippines Finally Catching Up to Regional Defense Realities?
The Philippines has always had brave soldiers. What it hasn’t always had, until now, is the tools to match their courage. For years, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has operated with aging equipment, limited resources, and underfunded programs. But with growing threats in the West Philippine Sea and across the Indo-Pacific, the Marcos administration is making it clear: it’s time to upgrade, expand, and modernize, seriously.
Welcome to the new era of defense. Welcome to Re-Horizon 3. Launched in January 2024, Re-Horizon 3 is a massive reboot of the AFP’s long-term modernization program, backed by a staggering $35 billion USD budget. The goal is straightforward but ambitious: give the Philippines a credible defense posture, with real deterrence capabilities against external threats.
This isn’t the first phase of modernization. Back in 2013, Horizon 1 kicked things off, followed by Horizon 2 in 2018. But both phases were plagued by funding delays and red tape, often forcing the AFP to make do with the bare minimum. Re-Horizon 3? It’s different. This time, the mission is external. The stakes are higher. And the shopping list? Game-changing.
The Philippine Navy is finally acquiring its first two diesel-electric submarines, giving the country underwater surveillance and strike capabilities it has never had before. The Air Force is bringing in over 12 multi-role fighter (MRF) jets, most likely the F-16 C/D Block 70/72, alongside an additional 12 FA-50 Fighting Eagles, a major upgrade in air superiority.
We’re talking about two more corvettes or frigates, new offshore patrol vessels, fast attack boats, and a growing fleet of S-70 Black Hawk helicopters to enhance mobility, disaster response, and combat readiness.
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And that’s not all. The focus on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) is sharper than ever, with platforms like the Hermes 900 and Hermes 450 UAVs already playing a key role in watching over Philippine territory, especially in the contested maritime zones.
But here’s where things get even more interesting: this modernization isn’t just about tanks, ships, or planes anymore. There’s a new battlefield, and the AFP knows it. Cybersecurity, chemical warfare, and radiological threats are now considered real threats, not hypothetical ones. Defense isn’t just about firepower. It’s about preparedness in every domain.
To support this evolution, the proposed 2025 budget for the Department of National Defense (DND) is now at a record-high ₱258.2 billion, roughly $4.4 billion USD. That’s a 6.5% increase from the previous year, with most of the new funding directed toward the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
But even with that boost, there are still challenges. Funding gaps, vague procurement laws, and bureaucratic slowdowns continue to cast doubt on whether these big-ticket plans can truly deliver long-term, strategic capability. For a country racing to catch up, every delay matters.
Still, there’s no denying it: the shift in mindset is real. The modernization program is no longer just about internal security or insurgency. It’s about protecting the archipelago from external forces, asserting our sovereignty, and being ready for modern, multidimensional threats, from hacking campaigns to chemical attacks to missile intimidation.
It’s a tough road ahead, but finally, the AFP isn’t just asking for change. It’s building for it. And as this new phase unfolds, one question will define whether this transformation succeeds: Can we match our ambitions with real action, and not just budgets on paper?
The Big Picture: What Lies Ahead for the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea
The Philippines has made a bold pivot, modernizing its military, strengthening alliances, and taking a firmer stand on the West Philippine Sea. But this momentum comes with serious challenges. At the heart of it is China’s unrelenting stance.
Despite a 2016 legal defeat in The Hague, Beijing continues to reject the ruling, escalating aggression with water cannons, artificial islands, and threats of detaining foreign crews in waters it falsely claims. China has shown it won’t be restrained by international law alone. That’s the harsh reality: legal wins mean little without enforcement. The Hague ruling stands, but its power lies in the global community’s willingness to act.
At home, concerns grow. Defense spending is rising, but so are inflation and poverty. Critics ask: are we prioritizing missiles over meals? It’s a fair question. But sovereignty comes at a cost and doing nothing could cost even more. This pivot requires more than budget, it needs sustained political will, clear execution, and long-term cooperation. Otherwise, strategy turns into paperwork.
There’s also the “Power of the Weak” paradox. The Philippines must work with global allies like the U.S. but remain firmly independent, defending sovereignty without becoming a pawn in big power rivalries. President Marcos and Defense Secretary Teodoro are clear: this isn’t about war. It’s about standing firm, following international law, and refusing to be bullied in our own waters.
That’s why the Philippines is calling on the world, not for weapons, but for solidarity. For the UN, ASEAN, and like-minded nations to stand for the rule of law. Because this isn’t just a Philippine issue, it’s a test of the international system. Will the world act when a smaller nation is pushed by a bigger one? Or will silence become the norm? For now, the Philippines holds the line, eyes on the sea, anchored by principle. The future? It depends on what we all do next and who stands with us when it matters most.
