Military begins implementation of new archipelagic defense strategy

MANILA, Philippines — The military formally embarked on the “Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept” or CADC, according to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

But what does it mean?

“In plain language, we are developing our capability to protect and secure our entire territory and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in order to ensure that our people and all the generations of Filipinos to come shall freely reap and enjoy the bounties of the natural resources that are rightfully ours within our domain,” Teodoro said in a statement on Friday.

Teodoro also emphasized that the CADC is a strategic action that “will not need constant directives to carry out.”

“I, thus, urge our commanders and units in the AFP to exert all efforts to operationalize the CADC,” Teodoro continued.

This was also in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive for the armed forces to focus on external defense.

READ: Insurgency ending but external threats rising, says Marcos as AFP told to adjust strategy

As part of the CADC, Teodoro ordered an increase of military presence in Batanes, the country’s northernmost island province near Taiwan, as he highlighted its strategic importance for the country.

Beijing objected to Teodoro’s order, warning Manila to “tread carefully” on the Taiwan issue as it considers it a “red line.” But the Department of National Defense had shrugged off this objection, saying that China has no business with Philippines military activities inside its own territory.

READ: China to PH: Taiwan a ‘red line’ issue, ‘tread carefully’

China considers Taiwan a renegade province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. The democratically-ruled island broke away from the mainland in 1949 when Mao Zedong’s communist forces took over.

READ: China has no business warning PH about its activities in Batanes — DND

Beijing’s attempts to thwart Manila’s maritime activities in the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal — the maritime features inside the western section of Manila’s EEZ — also became the flashpoint of tensions between the two neighboring countries.