Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Monday stressed the need for the defense sector to "revision and re-horizon" the country's strategic approaches in order to become responsive to the "challenges of the times."

"This is a task, I have given the General headquarters — aligned with past pronouncements that we have to revision and re-horizon our strategic thoughts — from strategic principles, defense planning guidances, to our modernization to our strategic basic — in order for us to be more responsive to the challenges of the times," Teodoro said during the ceremonial christening and commissioning of the BRP Valentine Diaz (PS177) and BRP Ladislao Diwa (PS178) at the Philippine Navy headquarters at Naval Station Jose Andrada, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

Teodoro said the coming of the latest to the Philippine Navy Littoral Combat Fleet is crucial to the AFP's efforts to boost its littoral defense operations and capabilities, especially in defending the country's sovereign rights over the 200 nautical mile-exclusive economic zone and other jurisdictions of the Philippines.

"This is a welcome and timely addition to the Philippine Fleet because the sooner we can complete, of course in coordination with our partners in the Philippine Coast Guard, our littoral defenses, the sooner we can pursue our vast position in defending our sovereign rights,"  he said.

The latest Filipino navy vessels were donated by the United States government under its Excess Defense Article program.

"We are grateful for the support of the United States and all our allies and like-minded nations. Because the paradigm here is not for anything else, but to preserve a rules-based international order, to preserve the primacy of international law in setting maritime boundaries and in settling disputes," he said.

Allied nations willing to engage with a rules-based international order, maritime domain awareness and respect for international law "are welcome in the Philippines. Not welcome are those who are not sincere in discussing the country's defense posture in terms of diplomacy," he added.

Teodoro called on Filipinos to stand by the country.

"Wala na po tayong ibang bansa. Tindigan natin ito ng mahusay, tindigan natin ng may utak, tindigan at mahalin natin ating bansa," he said.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said the commissioning of the two latest navy ships is an "illustration of Washington's continued collaboration" with the Philippines in pursuit of the modernization goals of the AFP.

"This ceremony symbolizes continued U.S. support for our Philippine Navy allies, who are on the frontlines defending Philippine sovereign rights in the South China Sea, or West Philippine Sea," she added.

The BRP Valentin Diaz and BRP Ladislao Diwa were acquired through the US foreign military financing program, amounting to $13.8 million or P780 million.

"The Philippines is the largest recipient of US military assistance in the Indo-Pacific, merited by the ambitious agenda we have set together for our alliance," Carlson said.

The BRP Valentin Diaz, formerly USS Chinook (PC-9), is the ninth Cyclone-class patrol ship of the US Navy. The BRP Ladislao Diwa, formerly USS Monsoon (PC-4), is the US Navy's fourth Cyclone-class patrol ship.

These two Cyclone-class patrol vessels were transferred upon decommissioning in Bahrain on 18 March and were delivered to the Philippines last May.

Carlson said: "Their dedicated service and the missions they undertake are central to the shared U.S.-Philippine goal of ensuring a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region."

"The Valentin Diaz and Ladislao Diwa are entering into service for the Philippine Navy at an important time when the maritime security environment in the Indo-Pacific is increasingly complex," Carlson underscored.

"From patrolling Philippine waters to protecting legitimate economic activity and combatting illegal fishing, to delivering humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, the missions undertaken by these two vessels will not be easy," she added.