The Philippines is committed to preserving a secure, stable, and peaceful Indo-Pacific region. As an archipelagic country, it both upholds and champions a rules-based global order, especially in the maritime domain, where the primacy of UNCLOS is well-established and enshrined in the 2016 Arbitral award. In so doing, the Philippines is changing its defense paradigms, strengthening its own capabilities, and leveraging alliances with allies and like-minded nations. This will enable the Philippines to both secure its territory and its rights under international law and to be an effective partner of other countries in ensuring freedom of navigation, overflight, and security in international waters.

Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr.

Secretary

Department of National Defense