Manila, May 20 -- The Philippine Navy has been hard at work to attain a "holistic defense posture" for the country and its vast maritime territories, its chief said Tuesday.

"We have been progressively undertaking actions to attain a holistic defense posture that secures the whole Philippine archipelago and our exclusive economic zone. This is anchored in a comprehensive archipelago defense concept," PN chief Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta said in his speech during the Navy's 127th founding anniversary at the Naval Operating Base Subic in Zambales.

Such steps are necessary as the Philippines' future is strongly linked to the security of its maritime domain, he said.

"That is why our Navy plays an important role, not just in de...