A policy think tank on Monday urged the government to accelerate the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as the country prepares to mark the 10th anniversary of the 2016 arbitral award on the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The Stratbase Institute issued the call ahead of a high-level conference on 10 July commemorating the landmark ruling, which invalidated China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea.

The forum, titled "A Decade of the Arbitral Award: Credible Deterrence in Defense of the West Philippine Sea," will examine how the Philippines can build on its legal victory by strengthening credible deterrence and enhancing national security amid evolving geopolitical challenges.

Discussions will be anchored on the Stratbase Institute's June 2026 SPARK publication, "10 Years After the Arbitral Award: From Legal Triumph to Credible Deterrence Through Multidomain Modernization," which argues that the Philippines must translate its legal victory into strategic capability.

"The Arbitral Award gave the Philippines legal standing; the next decade must deliver strategic strength," Stratbase Institute President and SPARK lead author Victor Andres "Dindo" Manhit wrote in the publication.

As the country marks the ruling's 10th anniversary, public support for defending the West Philippine Sea remains high.

A Stratbase-commissioned survey conducted in May found that 86 percent of Filipinos support the government's efforts to defend the West Philippine Sea alongside like-minded nations in accordance with the arbitral ruling.

"The survey results show that Filipinos understand that defending the West Philippine Sea requires more than legal arguments and diplomatic statements," Manhit said.

"It requires credible deterrence, stronger partnerships, and national resilience."

Manhit said this means accelerating efforts to transform the AFP into a technologically capable, multidomain force and fully implementing the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept, which integrates operations across land, maritime, air, cyber, and information domains.

He added that protecting Philippine interests in the West Philippine Sea requires more than military capability.

"National security today requires a whole-of-society effort involving government, civil society, academia, media, the private sector, faith-based organizations, and international partners working together to strengthen resilience and uphold the rules-based international order," he said.

The institute said public sentiment supports this approach.

A 2025 Pulse Asia survey commissioned by Stratbase found that Filipinos consider support for the AFP and the Philippine Coast Guard the most important measure in defending the country's rights in Philippine waters, followed by stronger alliances, joint patrols, military exercises, and security cooperation with like-minded countries.

These priorities will be reflected in the 10 July conference.

Defense Secretary Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. will deliver the keynote address.

The conference will also feature at least 10 ambassadors from like-minded countries that support a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.

Representatives from government, academia, business, youth organizations, and civil society will also participate, including Cardinal Pablo Virgilio "Ambo" David, underscoring what organizers described as a whole-of-society approach to national security.