Manila, March 20 -- With the communist insurgency threat on the wane, Philippine Army commander Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete said the Army is now in a better position to carry out missions against external threats.

"As a result, our major units, while sustaining internal security gains, are now better postured for territorial defenses, guided by a Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC)," Nafarrete said in a speech late Thursday.

"Every unit stands ready to defend the nation against external threats and actions that undermine our peace and stability."

The CADC is the strategic shift of the Philippine military where it is now tasked to defend all the country's territories, including the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone...