Marcos: Philippines working for ‘sophisticated, well-trained’ military

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is as capable and well-prepared as it had ever been and the government is working to have an even more sophisticated and well-trained military, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Thursday.

Addressing the troops of the 9th Infantry Division based in Camarines Sur, Marcos said external threats the country had been facing had become more difficult.

He further stressed that the vessels entering "disputed areas" must be guarded and monitored.

"We have to have a sophisticated and well-trained military and I can say that we have been working very hard for that. I think I am accurate when I describe our military today as being capable and as well prepared as we ever had," he added.

Marcos said that his administration would provide and modernize the assets of the military and give troops the training that they need.

He said in February that the mission of the AFP had changed amid the complicated situation in the South China Sea and the intense competition between superpowers.

He pointed out that the South China Sea problem was the most difficult and complex issue even with the war in Ukraine. —NB, GMA Integrated News