MANILA -- The Philippines' plan to buy its first submarine marks a step toward the Southeast Asian nation taking a more assertive approach to defending its interests beyond its borders, analysts say.
On Thursday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the planned submarine purchase, which is included in the third phase of the military's modernization strategy. The announcement came weeks after Manila was involved in a verbal spat with Beijing in the wake of Marcos sending a congratulatory message to Lai Ching-te, the China-skeptic candidate who won Taiwan's recent presidential election.
