MANILA, Philippines — Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has pledged to strengthen the capabilities of the Philippine Navy to better protect the West Philippine Sea and the country’s maritime territory, saying Filipinos will “never be intimidated” by foreign powers.
Speaking during the Navy’s 128th anniversary celebration, Marcos emphasized the importance of maritime defense in safeguarding national sovereignty, economic interests, and regional stability.
“Strengthening the Philippine Navy’s capabilities remains essential to protecting our interests in the West Philippine Sea in light of the broader realities of our time,” he said.
The President also led the commissioning of the BRP Rajah Lakandula, the Navy’s newest offshore patrol vessel, at Naval Station Jose V. Andrada in Manila. Named after Rajah Lakandula, the ship symbolizes courage, leadership, and service to the nation.
Marcos told the vessel’s crew to sail with pride and demonstrate that the Filipino spirit “will never be intimidated.”
He described the commissioning as a significant step toward building a modern and self-reliant naval force capable of protecting national resources and asserting sovereignty.
The President noted that rapid political and economic developments have placed the Indo-Pacific region at the center of global affairs, while the seas surrounding the Philippines have become areas of increasing competition and conflict.
“Global instability, shifting alliances, and emerging threats demand that we maintain a resilient maritime defense posture,” Marcos said. “In this environment, a credible Philippine Navy is indispensable to regional peace.”
He directed the Navy to continue strengthening its capabilities and instructed the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to deepen cooperation with allies and partner nations.
Under the 2026 national budget, the government allocated ₱90 billion for the Revised AFP Modernization Program. The Navy will receive the largest share among the military’s service branches, with funding ranging from ₱36 billion to ₱40 billion.
The Navy plans to use its guaranteed appropriations to acquire additional offshore patrol vessels, combat systems, sensors, and to continue payments for the Malvar-class frigate program and naval base upgrades.
Additional funding, if released through unprogrammed appropriations, could support the acquisition of more frigates, corvettes, missile-capable patrol vessels, and preparations for a future submarine program.
The Navy’s Sail Plan 2040, a 15-year modernization roadmap launched last year, aims to transform the fleet into a modern, multi-domain force. Planned acquisitions include submarines, unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned surface vessels, and advanced missile systems to strengthen territorial defense and deterrence capabilities.
