MANILA, Nov. 24 -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro called on the international community to bolster defenses against hybrid threats as she reiterated the Philippines' commitment to multilateralism and the rules-based international order.

At the 4th European Union (EU) Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (IPMF) in Brussels, Belgium from Nov. 20 to 21, Lazaro emphasized that adherence to international law, particularly in the maritime domain, remains essential in reducing tensions.

Lazaro co-moderated the roundtable discussion on Security Priorities in the Face of Current Geopolitical Developments with EU High Representative and European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas.

Legally binding rulings such as the 2016 Arbitral Awar...