The chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., and Sweden's Ambassador Annika Thunborg have discussed the country's plans to acquire multi-role fighter planes under the Revised AFP Modernization Program.

AFP Public Affairs chief, Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto, said Brawner and Thunborg also tackled recent developments in the West Philippine Sea during their meeting on Friday at AFP Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

"The ambassador, likewise, expressed that Sweden stands firmly behind the Philippines in the protection of its territory and its territorial integrity, as well as the international rules-based order and the 2016 arbitral award," Ileto told reporters.

During the meeting, Ileto said the two officials also discussed the role of like-minded nations, both in building a credible armed force for the Philippines and in pursuing the rules-based international order in the WPS.

Ileto said Brawner also expressed the hope that China would cease its illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea, as he insisted that the "Philippines has a right to maintain the integrity of the BRP Sierra Madre" situated in the Ayungin Shoal.

"The CSAFP said the AFP will not allow China to dictate to us what we should do in that post that has become a symbol of our dedication to our mandate as protectors of the people and the state and our commitment to our soldiers who are stationed there," he added.