'Comprehensive archipelagic defense' to help PH explore EEZ resources

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 24, 2024): 'Comprehensive archipelagic defense' to help PH explore EEZ resources (By Priam Nepomuceno)

DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (File photo)

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is now embarking on a "comprehensive archipelagic defense concept" to ensure that the country would benefit from the natural resources that are to be found in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said Tuesday night.

In his speech at the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) forum at the Fairmont Makati Hotel, Teodoro said this transformation is initially aimed at allowing the AFP to protect and guarantee "Philippine nationals, Philippine corporations, and those authorized by the Philippine government the unimpeded and peaceful exploration and exploitation of all natural resources within our EEZ and other areas we have jurisdiction."

Teodoro said this concept will also allow the Philippines to project its military power into areas that must be protected and preserved, pursuant to the Constitution.

"So other than a forward-looking concept, we are evolving into a defense concept which projects our power into our areas where we must by Constitutional fiat and duty, protect and preserve our resources," he said.

Teodoro also cited the importance of protecting Philippine interests and Filipinos in an increasingly volatile and unpredictable world, hence the need to develop the AFP capable of carrying out such missions in the future.

"For example, should we need to import oil in areas which are heavy with pirates, heavy with international criminals, we will have to have the wherewithal to protect Philippine vessels and other interests in those areas," he added.

Teodoro said these tasks are not simple and involve more efforts aside from the acquisition of new equipment to beef up the AFP's capability.

"We have to marshal the resources of making the best of what we have, making sure that acquisitions made are supportable, sustainable, and redundancy is built-in," he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1217527