Incoming Defense chief vows to protect territories

AFTER FAILING to stop Chinese incursions in Philippine waters and harassment of Filipino fishermen when he was Philippines’ military chief, retired General Jose Faustino Jr, now the country’s incoming Defense officer-in-charge has vowed to protect the territories.

He also vowed to enhance the military’s defense capabilities and ensure that “not a single square inch of the territory is surrendered” once he takes over the post from Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in November.

President Bongbong Marcos appointed Faustino as the next Defense chief.

“National security is synonymous to human security. That is why we will do our best that all programs of the department will focus on protecting and defending the sovereignty of the country, to respect human rights and international humanitarian law, address the root causes of internal conflict, and make sure to implement the order of the President that not a single square inch of the territory is surrendered,” Faustino said.

He said the Department of National Defense will also address the country’s major concerns and security challenges, such as climate change and natural disasters, terrorism, support to law enforcement to address criminality, illegal drugs and cyber security, among others.

Faustino assured the public that the campaign to end the local communist armed conflict, started by the Duterte administration, would continue under Marcos, including the peace process in the South.

“We will likewise continuously support the successful programs of the peace agreement with the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) and MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front),” he said.

Faustino will assume office as Defense secretary on November 13 after the one-year appointment ban on retired military officials. He took over the helm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) leadership from General Cirilito Sobejana, who retired from military service on July 31 last year.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1988, Faustino retired as AFP Chief of Staff after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 on November 12 of the same year. Faustino was the head of the Joint Task Force Mindanao and has also served as the acting commanding general of the Philippine Army. (Mindanao Examiner and Priam Nepomuceno)