Modernize AFP while waiting for South China Sea row ruling – Robredo, Trillanes

MANILA, Philippines – Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV both suggested that the government should modernize the Armed Forces while waiting for the decision on the arbitration case filed by the country against China.

The Philippines earlier filed a case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, challenging China's nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea.

During the vice presidential debate on Sunday at the University of Santo Tomas, Robredo said she agrees with the administration's decision to file an arbitration case to resolve the territorial dispute.

"Ito po ay naaayon sa UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) at tayo po ay pinaghangaan ng ibang bansa dito. Pero sa akin po sana habang naghihintay tayo ng desisyon doon po sa arbitration dapat marami pa rin tayong ginagawa," Robredo said.

The Camarines Sur lawmaker said the military should be modernized so that the country would not be under the "mercy" of stronger nations.

Trillanes also said that the Philippines needs to modernize its military to defend its territory. The senator, however, admitted that modernization would take time and would need bigger funding.

The senator added that that the country should strengthen its alliance with its strategic partners such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the United States.

Robredo also said that the Philippines should take a leadership role in organizing other claimant states including Indonesia and Vietnam.

"Sang-ayon din po ako na lahat ng peaceful means hanapin para makipag-negotiate, multilateral means. Ang hindi lang po ako sang-ayon pag bilateral," Robredo said.

The international tribunal is expected to come out with a ruling on the case of the Philippines against China in May.

China had refused to participate in the proceedings and stressed that it has indisputable sovereignty over the disputed waters.