President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.has directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to prioritize external defense operations in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) amid ongoing security challenges, according to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

The directive emphasizes the need to protect the country's territorial and maritime interests, with the government adjusting strategies to address evolving threats without disclosing specific plans.

Teodoro highlighted the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling, which bolstered international support for the Philippines' position, but stressed that legal measures alone cannot counter China's assertiveness.

He noted that China's activities extend beyond the WPS, affecting regions like Japan and the Pacific Islands, prompting global defense enhancements.

Former Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio reiterated the ruling's impact on shifting international opinion against China's South China Sea claims, though enforcement remains incomplete due to China's restrictions on Philippine sovereignty.

The Philippine Coast Guard reported that while China removed a platform from Scarborough Shoal, seven structures remain, urging China to address environmental concerns.The article underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics and military strategies in the region.