Manila, July 5 -- Expediting the ongoing Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program will result in better response to "evolving threats" in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), according to think tank Stratbase Institute.

In a news release on Sunday, the institute made the call ahead of the 10th year anniversary of the Arbitral Award on July 12, which invalidated China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea.

"The Arbitral Award gave the Philippines legal standing. The next decade must deliver strategic strength," Stratbase Institute president and chief executive officer Dindo Manhit said in a statement.

Manhit said this necessitates the rapid transformation of the AFP into a technologically advanced, multidomain force, alo...