THE Philippines called on the international community to reaffirm the central role of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) as the legal framework governing all activities in the world’s oceans and seas during the 36th Meeting of States Parties to the Law of the Sea (Splos 36) held from June 15 to 19 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
In its national statement under Agenda Item 12, the Philippines underscored the significance of the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, describing it as a guidepost for states on key maritime issues, including the invalidity of excessive or historical maritime claims, the proper classification of maritime features, the protection of the rights of coastal states, and the obligation to conserve and protect the marine environment.
The Philippine delegation emphasized that decisions and rulings rendered through Unclos’ compulsory dispute settlement mechanisms, including the 2016 arbitral award, should be respected and complied with by all states.
It also highlighted the importance of advisory opinions issued under the convention, including the 2024 International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (Itlos) Advisory Opinion on Climate Change and International Law, in providing authoritative guidance on the interpretation and application of Unclos.
The Philippines stressed that judicial decisions and arbitral awards under the convention benefit the entire international community by clarifying international law, strengthening legal certainty, and promoting the peaceful, stable and predictable governance of the oceans.
Defense posture
Also on Saturday Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. outlined the Philippines’ push for a more advanced defense posture built around high-tech deterrence, combining traditional military assets with hybrid capabilities and digital systems that would improve the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) ability to detect, respond to, and deter threats.
Teodoro said the country’s future defense capabilities would not rely solely on conventional platforms such as ships, aircraft and weapons systems but would also include advanced information networks, cyber capabilities, and real-time operational data.
“There will be a lot of deterrence capabilities on the brick-and-mortar sense, and then a lot of hybrid capabilities, the whole gamut of hybrid capabilities,” Teodoro said.
He said a key part of this transformation would be the creation of a robust digital information system that would allow the military to gather and process critical information across different operational areas.
The system, he said, would support cyber operations and provide commanders with better awareness of battlefield conditions, military readiness, medical requirements, and the maintenance status of key assets.
“Be it domain awareness, be it battlefield situations, be it medical conditioning, be it the maintenance condition and readiness of your ships or aircraft,” Teodoro said.
The defense chief said expanding maritime domain awareness remains a priority as the Philippines seeks to protect its interests within its exclusive economic zone and strengthen its ability to monitor surrounding waters.
The AFP has been upgrading its maritime capabilities through new vessels, missile systems, and surveillance assets as part of efforts to develop a more credible deterrent force.
Recent additions include the commissioning of the Philippine Navy’s Miguel Malvar-class guided missile frigates.
Teodoro said the country’s maritime security requirements would eventually require greater operational reach beyond Philippine waters, citing the global presence of Filipino seafarers.
“Mind you, we’ll have to have greater reach because of the fact that one in every three international seafarers is a Filipino,” he said.
He described Filipino maritime workers as a national asset that must be protected, saying the Philippine Navy must continue evolving to respond to security challenges on the high seas.
The Philippines has also pursued upgrades to its air capabilities, including the acquisition of additional FA-50 Block 70 light combat aircraft intended to strengthen air defense and support the country’s broader archipelagic defense concept.
The defense secretary said the goal is to build a force capable not only of responding to immediate threats but also of protecting Philippine interests in an increasingly contested regional security environment.
