Manila, April 17 -- Think-tank Stratbase Institute on Friday called on the Philippines to "fully operationalize its posture of active defense" amid China's increasingly aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a statement Friday, Stratbase Institute President and Chief Executive Officer Victor Andres "Dindo" Manhit said the country must further beef up its exercises with like-minded nations and junk all talks of energy exploration with China in the vital waterway.

Likewise, Manhit also expressed his "unequivocal support" for the 2026 "Balikatan" exercises that would bring together more than 17,000 troops from the Philippines and like-minded partners, including the United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, France and New Ze...