Lorenzana says DND ‘fulfilled’ strategic priorities despite COVID threat

The Department of National Defense (DND) has fulfilled its strategic priorities despite the continuous threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Monday.

Lorenzana said as the Defense Department celebrated its 81st anniversary

He emphasized the agency's accomplishments in securing sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state, promoting internal stability, attaining the highest standard of capability and preparedness, sustaining operations in support to global peace and pursuing good governance.

On the part of territorial defense operations, Lorenzana said vital infrastructures were built in the Kalayaan Island Group, Batanes Group of Islands, Sulu Sea, Philippine Rise, and the West Philippine Sea.

He noted that the Armed Forces of the Philippines also intensified its presence over the country’s eastern seaboard in Fuga Island.

"We now have a beaching ramp and seaport in the municipality of Pagasa. This would allow heavy equipment to be brought in for the repair of the airfield and now the materials to improve the living conditions of our troops and civilian citizens living there," Lorenzana said in his speech.

"The AFP's air domain coverage in the West Philippine Sea has increased from 27% to 57% in 2019. This was due to our air defense surveillance radars, surveillance aircraft and long endurance unmanned aerial vehicles," he added.

Lorenzana also highlighted the military's efforts on preventing communist rebels and local terrorist groups from committing more hostilities.

He claimed that more or less 14,000 communist insurgents have surrendered to authorities and availed the government's program for those who have returned to the folds of law.

"From the first half of this year, it neutralized thousands of enemies, seized a sizable number of firearms, improvised explosive devices and anti-personnel mines among many others," he said.

"Our troops destroyed hundreds of enemy camps and strongholds and cleared the highest number of guerrilla fronts in the past decade. Three additional fronts were dismantled this year," he added.

He also mentioned the "successful enforcement" of martial law in Mindanao region to prevent terror groups from doing lawless acts.

"There was no need for an extension beyond December 2019 as our security forces victoriously neutralized foreign and local extremist groups in the area," Lorenzana said.

Lorenzana also mentioned DND's bilateral and multilateral engagements with other countries to further promote the country's national interest as well as international peace.

"Closer ties have been fostered with South Korea and Japan making us the first ASEAN member state to receive excess Japanese defense equipment. Complementing this, we commenced cooperation with non-traditional partners like Israel, Jordan, Sri Lanka and Croatia," Lorenzana said. — RSJ, GMA News