Marcos to AFP: Be ready to defend archipelago from emerging threats

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Friday told the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to be "ready to defend the archipelago from emerging threats."

Marcos made the remark during the oathtaking of the Philippine military's newly promoted generals.

"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," said Marcos.

"Our Armed Forces must be capable of securing and defending the archipelago from emerging threats," emphasized Marcos.

The President called on the AFP officials to further enhance joint planning and operations to ensure interoperability across all AFP units and platforms.

"Sustain and foster greater collaboration with other government agencies and civil society groups, harnessing their respective knowledge, specializations, and technical expertise in coming up with innovative, effective, efficient solutions to the challenges that stand in the way of achieving peace and unity," the President said. 

He also told officials that he expects them to perform their duty with strength of character and utmost integrity, loyalty, and professionalism or the qualities that are fundamental and core to the service as officers in our nation’s armed service.

"I place emphasis on this at the outset, in light of the continuing changes and emerging developments in our nation’s evolving security landscape.  Your new positions and ranks shall place you at the forefront, both familiar and new and novel defense and security challenges that we now face," Marcos said.

Marcos said the AFP officials should be ready to adapt and respond to emerging national security and defense realities that exist in the country and in the region.

"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.

At present, China's actions in the West Philippine Sea have continued. The latest was the collision between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the region on October 22.

Philippine government officials said the collision occurred when two Filipino supply boats escorted by two PCG vessels were heading to Ayungin Shoal.

The Filipino boats were about to deliver food and other supplies to the grounded Philippine warship BRP Sierra Madre for the small Navy personnel there who were guarding the shoal.

The PCG has already launched an investigation into the incident and said it will finish its probe in five days.

Marcos,  meanwhile, vowed that his administration would protect the welfare of the AFP. —VAL/VBL, GMA Integrated News