DND ensured PHL sovereignty, pursued protection of people —Lorenzana

The Department of National Defense (DND) has protected the Filipinos and ensured the sovereignty of the Philippines in 2019, Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a year-end message on Thursday.

Lorenzana enumerated some of the department’s accomplishments in 2019 which includes its peace and stability efforts in the country.

“With the National Defense Strategy as our guide, we have pursued the protection of our people and ensured our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.

On June 9, a Chinese vessel hit a Filipino boat in waters off Recto (Reed) Bank in the West Philippine Sea. With their boat sinking, the 22 local crewmen were abandoned by the foreign vessel. 

Before the ramming incident, many reports have surfaced that hundreds of Chinese vessels were spotted in Philippine waters, prompting the government has filed diplomatic protests against China. 

Lorenzana said they have established a permanent presence in northernmost island Mavulis, by hoisting national flag, constructing a fishermen’s shelter, and stationing a Marine contingent on the island.

In 2019, according to Lorenzana, the internal security operations were heightened in line with the administration’s agenda to end local communist armed conflict and other terrorist activities.

“I commend the Armed Forces of the Philippines for its excellent efforts to attain the objectives of martial law. The AFP was successful in decimating and weakening the terrorist and extremist groups in the BARMM,” he added.

The martial law declared over Mindanao in 2017 due to the Marawi siege had been extended to 2019. After almost three years, President Rodrigo Duterte will not extend it upon its expiration on December 31.

Lorenzana recommended to the president that martial law should no longer be extended in Mindanao because the security forces have achieved its objective, noting that the non-extension of military rule in Mindanao is also good for business. 

“As the year 2019 comes to a close and 2020 starts, I call upon all personnel of the Department to continue to pursue excellence in public service,” he said.

“The call to a more effective and efficient Defense Sector is imperative in light of the enormous and varied security challenges confronting the nation,” he added. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News