Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 25) — Despite not mentioning the West Philippine Sea issue during his second State of the Nation Address on Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s position that the country is “friend to all, enemy to none” remains unchanged, Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro said.
\”His (Marcos) position on the West Philippine Sea and the territorial integrity of the Philippines still goes,\” Teodoro told CNN Philippines’ News Night.
Marcos underscored the statement during the 77th United Nations General Assembly in New York in September last year. He also called on members of the UN to resolve disputes \”through reason and right\” amid tensions in the disputed territory.
Marcos wants ‘credible deterrent force’
Teodoro also bared that the president has ordered the Department of National Defense to create a credible deterrent and capable force in order to protect the country’s territorial integrity.
He said the new defense strategy will not just focus on the West Philippine Sea but also on other territorial boundaries of the country.
