Dangal ng Bulacan Foundation holds West Philippine Sea Forum


by Eloisa Samonte-Silverio
With the continuous strengthening of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro explained that it is also necessary to strengthen the alliance of the Philippines with other countries.
Undersecretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) leads the discussion on the implications of the West Philippine Sea dispute during a forum hosted by the Dangal Ng Bulacan Foundation Inc. in its 2nd General Membership Meeting held at Balagtas Hall, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center, City of Malolos on August 17, 2024. Photo by FREDERICK SILVERIO
This was Lazaro’s statement at a forum with the themed “Defending the West Philippine Sea” hosted by Dangal ng  Bulacan Foundation Inc. at Balagtas Hall, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center, City of Malolos on Saturday.
She said, although alliances with countries that support the Philippines are important, it is still need to focus on the Philippines’ Self-Reliant Defense Posture.
Based on the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), an amount of P50 billion has been allocated for the Revised AFP Modernization Program which is P10 billion higher than that allocated in the current National Budget of 2024 in addition the P31.3 billion for the Philippine Coast Guard.
According to Lazaro, alliances will help in the goal of fully modernizing the AFP and Philippine Coast Guard, which is exemplified by the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) recently signed by the Philippines and Japan.
This will be a mechanism to increase the skill of the Filipino troops with the help of the Japanese soldiers towards the interoperability of the equipment of the two arm forces.
This will also lead to the Philippines purchasing modern equipment for the AFP and Philippine Coast Guard from Japan.
The possible defense pacts of the Philippines with the countries of New Zealand, Canada and France are also being reviewed.
Currently there exists the Mutual Defense Treaty of the Philippines with the United States and the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement with Australia.
She also want the Filipino people to be vigilant regarding WPS disputes and present situation.
At the Forum,  De La Salle University-Manila Professor of Law Atty. Antonio A. Ligon also tackled several topics related to the issue in the West Philippine Sea.
Ligon shared that the country’s claim is based on Article 1 of the 1987 Constitution, which defines the National Territory as covering the Philippine archipelago.
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