Manila, Sept. 20 -- The Philippine Navy (PN) on Sunday said the proposal of Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. to develop an "expeditionary navy" to protect the country's merchant shipping and crew members is in sync with its defensive mandate.

"The development of expeditionary capability does not alter the defensive mandate of the PN. All operations remain guided by the 1987 Constitution, Philippine laws, international law and established national defense policies," Navy spokesperson Captain Marissa Martinez told the Philippine News Agency.

An "expeditionary navy" is a naval force capable of operating well beyond its home shores and sustaining operations in remote areas.

"This direction is consistent ...