Defense Secretary Delfin N. Loren­zana cited the most critical external security challenge for the Philippines is the competing territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea when he spoke before alumni and students of the National Defense College of the Philippines Monday. In the forum titled: “The National Security Outlook for the Philippines in 2019”, the Defense Chief shared that the Philippine Government already reiterated its call on China and other claimant countries to finalize and adopt a valid, binding and mutually ac­ceptable code of conduct in the South China Sea. Lorenzana said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) maintains its pres­ence within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and with its limited resources, does its best to safeguard the farthest ends of the country’s territory.

Wakefield F. T. (2019, February 6). Lorenzana: We have not, and will never surrender any part of our territory. Manila Bulletin, pp. 1, 4.