MANILA, April 7 -- The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains committed to enhancing the country's defense capabilities through the ongoing modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Malacanang said Monday.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified that the AFP's modernization efforts are not aimed at any specific country, following Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez's statement about the purchase of more F-16 fighter jets to counter China's actions in disputed territories.

The Philippines and China have long been engaged in a territorial dispute over the West Philippine Sea, part of the resource-ric...