PH urged to speed up military modernization amid WPS threats

MANILA, Philippines — An independent think tank on Sunday called on the government to expedite the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) amid evolving threats in the West Philippine Sea. The Stratbase Institute issued the call ahead of the 10th anniversary of the 2016 arbitral award—which invalidated Beijing’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea—on July 10. “The Arbitral Award gave the Philippines legal standing; the next decade must deliver strategic strength,” Stratbase president Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit said in a statement released by the organization. According to Manhit, realizing this strength requires accelerating efforts to modernize the AFP, transforming it into a technologically capable, multidomain force and fully implementing the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept, which integrates operations across land, maritime, air, cyber, and information domains. However, Manhit noted that defending Philippine interests requires more than military capability alone, stressing the need for a “whole-of-society effort” in ensuring national security. “National security today requires a whole-of-society effort involving government, civil society, academia, media, the private sector, faith-based organizations, and international partners working together to strengthen resilience and uphold the rules-based international order,” he said. This strategic direction, said the institute, is supported by public sentiment, citing a 2025 Pulse Asia survey which showed that majority of Filipinos view support for the AFP and Philippine Coast Guard as the most important measure for defending the country’s rights in Philippine waters, followed by stronger alliances, joint patrols, military exercises, and security cooperation with like-minded countries. A recent survey in May 2026 also found that 86 percent of Filipinos support the government’s efforts to defend the West Philippine Sea alongside like-minded nations in accordance with the ruling. “The survey results show that Filipinos understand that defending the West Philippine Sea requires more than legal arguments and diplomatic statements,” Manhit said. “It requires credible deterrence, stronger partnerships, and national resilience,” he added. Meanwhile, a high-level gathering is also scheduled on July 10 titled “A Decade of the Arbitral Award: Credible Deterrence in Defense of the West Philippine Sea.” The forum will bring together defense and security officials, diplomats, maritime experts, and civil society leaders led by Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. where they are expected to discuss the gains and continuing challenges arising from the ruling, as well as efforts to strengthen deterrence, public resilience, and national preparedness. The conference will also have as speakers at least 10 ambassadors from like-minded countries that support a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific. The forum will also highlight a whole-of-society approach to national security, bringing together representatives from government, academia, business, youth organizations, and civil society including Cardinal Pablo Virgilio “Ambo” David as one of the lead voices from this sector. Furthermore, the gathering will draw insights from the Stratbase Institute’s June 2026 SPARK publication, “10 Years After the Arbitral Award: From Legal Triumph to Credible Deterrence Through Multidomain Modernization,” which argues that the Philippines must translate its legal victory into strategic capability amid an increasingly complex security environment.