"Philippines' Military Upgrades and Development Plans in Disputed South China Sea"

The Philippines plans to upgrade islands and reefs in the disputed South China Sea, aiming to make them more habitable for troops and acquire more ships, radars, and aircraft as tensions with China continue to simmer. Manila's military chief Romeo Brawner stated that the upgrades are intended to shift the focus from internal defense to territorial defense, amid contesting claims from China and other countries in the region.