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The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Japan Coast Guard (JCG), and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) conduct trilateral maritime exercises for the first time off the coast of Mariveles, Bataan on June 6, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

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Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Friday said the country is “determined as ever” to build up its military as tensions in the West Philippine Sea run high following the June 17 confrontation at Ayungin Shoal.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/4/duterte-s-ex-afp-chief-denies-gentleman-s-agreement-with-xi-1847">Duterte&#x27;s ex-AFP chief denies &#x27;gentleman&#x27;s agreement&#x27; with Xi<br/></a></div><p>“In the face of all these foreign incursions, we are determined as ever to progressively build our defense capabilities to effectively deter and counter all threats to our nation’s peace and security,&quot; Año said at a reception aboard Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Melchora Aquino docked in Manila port.</p><p>In his remarks, Año highlighted China’s harassments and provocations in the Philippine waters, which he said, were always handled by Philippine uniformed personnel with restraint and responsibility.</p><p>“As a sovereign state, it is our duty as well to upgrade our readiness and capabilities to assert our rights and push back against illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive tactics. In this respect, no country can stop us from bolstering our defense posture and tell us what to do and what not to do within our Exclusive Economic Zone,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/8/ph-doesn-t-need-china-approval-for-access-to-ayungin-shoal-says-ano-2355">PH doesn&#x27;t need China approval for access to Ayungin Shoal, says Año<br/></a></div><div><strong>DIALOGUE AND DIPLOMACY</strong></div><p>Año also said the government remains committed to resolving the issues through dialogue and diplomacy, as well as by working with the international community to uphold maritime law.</p><p>“Rebuilding a conducive environment for peaceful dialogue and consultations is also something that we have to continue working on together. While we vehemently denounce and repeatedly express grave concerns on the continued hostile behaviors of our neighbor, our commitment and pursuit for peace and stability within and around our territory is not pushed to the side,” Año said.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/06/19/commission-on-appointments-confirms-ao-as-dilg-chief">Ex-military men Año, Bautista get CA nod</a></div><p>He continued, “In fact, we have been exerting our best efforts to urge China to respect and act in accordance with international laws, rules and orders and be true to their words by translating them into actions.”</p><p>Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo earlier said Manila hopes to convene the Philippines-China Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in early July “specifically to discuss the recent incidents.”</p><p>The two countries launched the consultative mechanism in 2017 to promote the peaceful management of conflicts in the South China Sea.</p><p>Manalo said the proposed July meeting will look to establish &quot;confidence-building measures&quot; that can create the basis for “more serious discussions.”</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mXdSH1htuwA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Friday said the country is “determined as ever” to build up its military as tensions in the West Philippine Sea run high.</p>

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Friday said the country is “determined as ever” to build up its military as tensions in the West Philippine Sea run high.

Philippines progressively building up defense capability: Año

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Philippines progressively building up defense capability: Año

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 29, 2024 02:18 PM PHT

Read More:

National Security Council

defense

military

China

West Philippine Sea

Ayungin Shoal

Eduardo Año

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