President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday said efforts to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are not meant to increase regional tensions amid the country's territorial row with China.
Speaking before military officials at the Asian Defense, Security and Crisis Management Conference in Pasay City, Aquino said military modernization is more for "internal defense."
"Lest anyone accuse us of shifting to a more militaristic position, I must emphasize, our efforts to seek to modernize the capabilities of our security sector is to address the needs in human disaster response arenas and our internal defense," Aquino said in his speech.
"None of our actions are not meant to increase tensions in the region but to address our domestic problems and issues," he added.
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