MANILA, March 8 -- Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday said the military has adopted the new Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept to defend Philippine territory including its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

This, as Chinese President Xi Jinping called for coordination of military strategy at sea and prepare for potential maritime conflicts.

"In plain language, we are developing our capability to protect and secure our entire territory and EEZ in order to ensure that our people and all the generations of Filipinos to come shall freely reap and enjoy the bounties of the natural resources that are rightfully ours within our domain," he said in a statement.

"I emphasize that this a strategic a...