Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri on Sunday promised to augment the confidential and intelligence funds, or CIFs, allocated to the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy.

Zubiri described the Navy and Coast Guard as "defenders of Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea."

Zubiri assured the two agencies responsible for patrolling and protecting Philippine territory that they would receive bigger budgets, particularly CIFS, in the upcoming fiscal year.

"Because of what is happening in the West Philippine Sea, we want to increase the budget allocation for our soldiers and Navy personnel, especially the Navy and Coast Guard, to strengthen our external defense capabilities," he said in a statement.