Prepare for emerging threats, Marcos tells AFP

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday exhorted the Armed Forces of the Philippines, or AFP, to be "ready to defend the archipelago from emerging threats."

Speaking to recently promoted generals and flag officers of the AFP in Malacañang, Marcos lamented the need for more effort to strengthen the nation's internal security stance.

"We must be ready. Our armed forces must be capable of securing and defending the archipelago from emerging threats. I urge you (to enhance joint planning and operations further) to ensure interoperability across all the AFP," he said.

The President made the statement in response to the continuing Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea, particularly the bumping by its coast guard and maritime militia vessels into Philippine boats this week.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines had lodged another diplomatic protest with China on Monday following the "dangerous maneuvers" of its ships.

"We are always hopeful that China will act as a responsible member of the international community and that it will respect our sovereignty and our sovereign rights," DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said in a press conference.

The DFA said it intends to utilize all available diplomatic processes to their maximum extent.

China lambasts US

As this developed, China lambasted the United States Thursday for supporting the Philippines' "illegal claims" in the West Philippine Sea.

In a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning took a swipe at the US for "interfering" in the maritime issues in the South China Sea.

"The US is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to interfere in the issue between China and the Philippines," Mao said.

She made the statement after US President Joe Biden publicly reaffirmed Washington's "ironclad" alliance with Manila.

Biden: Phl is our friend

Biden asserted Washington's readiness to invoke its Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines in the face of the People's Republic of China's increasing aggression in the WPS.

"Just this past week, PRC vessels acted dangerously and unlawfully as our Philippine friends conducted a routine resupply mission within their own — exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea," he said.

"I want to be clear — I want to be very clear: The United States' defense commitment to the Philippines is ironclad. The United States' defense agreement with the Philippines is ironclad," Biden added.

Citing Article IV of the MDT, the US President warned that "any attack on Filipino aircraft, vessels, or armed forces will invoke" the defense pact with the Philippines.