MANILA - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vowed to strengthen the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and ensure the well-being of its personnel.
“As your
President and your Commander-in-Chief, I stand resolutely behind and with the
Armed Forces of the Philippines. I will ensure that the strength of the
organization and the well-being of all its personnel are attended to,” Marcos
said, highlighting the importance of the organization to the country’s security
and democracy.
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr during the combined littoral live fire exercise of the Philippines-US armed forces in San Antonio town in Zambales province involving 1,400 troops.
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| President Ferdinand Marcos Jr meets with senior navy officers. |
He noted, however, that due to the ever-changing dynamics of geopolitics
and the global security environment, there are more challenges ahead. With
these circumstances, Marcos, a former member of the elite Scout Ranger
Regiment, said the AFP must always emerge effective, formidable, and responsive
to ensure that the country’s integrity and interests are defended and
preserved.
“Henceforth, your strategic leadership will be the fulcrum and the
compass, so that the AFP will move in the right direction, guided by the
Constitution and the democratic principles that we have all sworn to uphold,”
Marcos said.
Good work
He said the Philippine military has not let the country down despite
tremendous challenges. “I have always said that of all the sectors of society,
it is only the military that has never let the Filipino down. So keep up the
good work. Continue your service. Inaasahan namin kayong lahat at hindi naman
kayo – wala naman kayong karanasan na hindi niyo tinanggap ang inyong duty at
hindi niyo tinupad ang inyong mission,” Marcos said in the past.
He added that the Philippines has to have a sophisticated and
well-trained military and that his administration has been working very hard to
attain that, describing the AFP as a capable and well-prepared force.
“In the past, the government neglected the military and failed to
develop its capabilities by providing soldiers with modern equipment. Ngayon,
nagbago na lahat ‘yan. And we in the civilian government are determined to make
sure that when we ask you to do your duty, that you are fully prepared, you are
fully trained and you are complete in the equipment that you need to fulfill
that mission,” Marcos said.
Peacemakers
On the domestic front, the President asked the troops to become
peacemakers as the government carries out a new approach to dealing with the
communists and terrorist groups that it tries to eliminate.
Marcos previously expressed full support to the AFP as it fulfils new
challenges in the performance of their duties, especially in their crucial role
as the country’s first line of defense against external security threats.
“I am certain that our partners will be more than willing to aid us in
developing your capabilities and making the necessary investments to ensure
that we achieve our shared goals for the country and for this region,” he said,
referring to the United States as a long-time ally, at a speaking engagement in
March in Clark Air Base in Pampanga province, northwest of Manila.
Submarines
In May, Marcos said the Philippines plans to acquire submarines for its
navy and to build domestic assembly and construction of other naval assets as
China continues its harassment of civilian and Coast Guard vessels in the South
China Sea and Filipino territories.
Territorial disputes in the South China Sea have fueled military
expenditure by Association of Southeast Asian Nations members. The Philippines
is no exception and is involved in a conflict over the Spratly Islands with
Brunei, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Chinese intrusions into the
Philippines’ waters will also drive naval modernization initiatives.
Marcos said there are offers from different countries not only for
submarine acquisition, but also other military requirements. (Mindanao
Examiner)
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