DEFENDING PHILIPPINE SOVEREIGNTY. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. enjoins the newly-promoted generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to be ready to secure and defend the Philippines against emerging threats, following the mass oath-taking ceremony at the Ceremonial Hall in Malacañan Palace on Friday (Oct. 27, 2023). About 31 newly-promoted AFP officials, including AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Saturnino Brawner, took their oath before Marcos. (Screenshot from RTVM)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday called on the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to be ready to secure and defend the Philippines against emerging threats.
In a speech delivered during the mass oath-taking ceremony at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacañan Palace in Manila, Marcos asked the newly-promoted AFP generals and flag officers to make sure that the military would be more capable of addressing the challenges confronting the country.
“You must not only anticipate, but you must also be ready to adapt and respond to emerging national security and defense realities that exist in our country and in our region,” the President said.
“As the new leaders of our AFP, you are expected to help ensure that the Armed Forces will be more agile, flexible, and responsive to better address emerging issues confronting our nation. We must be ready. Our Armed Forces must be capable of securing and defending the archipelago from emerging threats,” the Commander-in-Chief added.
While he acknowledged the “positive and encouraging” developments in the country’s internal security situation, Marcos noted that much remains to be done.
Marcos urged the military officials to step up the AFP’s joint planning and operations to ensure interoperability across all its units and platforms.
He also emphasized the importance of greater collaboration with other government agencies and civil society groups to come up with “innovative, effective, and efficient” solutions to the challenges that stand in the way of achieving peace and unity.
“We must maintain our vigilance and guard against those actors – whatever nature or form they may take – who would threaten and jeopardize the peace we have striven and fought for all these many years,” Marcos said.
“So, I enjoin you to help ensure that the communities once beset by conflict are benefiting – and continue to benefit – from the gains of peace and our numerous development interventions.”
Marcos expressed optimism that the newly-promoted AFP officials would perform their duty with “strength of character and utmost integrity, loyalty, and professionalism,” saying these qualities are fundamental and core to the service as officers in the armed service.
He said he expects them to be at the forefront, being familiar with present and new defense and security challenges the country is currently facing.
“Be assured of this administration’s unshakable commitment to their protection and their welfare, just as we in turn commit to ensure that all of you are provided with the necessary tools to perform your tasks and duties in the fulfillment of your service to our nation and our people,” Marcos said.
“Join me now and our nation as we, together, march forward in unison towards that future that is filled with hope and pride and unbound opportunities for all Filipinos,” he added.
Around 31 newly-promoted AFP Generals and Flag Officers, including AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., took their oath before the Commander-in-Chief. (PNA)
