Tells troops to gear up for borderless security threats amid peace efforts
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told troops Monday to continue exerting efforts to achieve the peace and security needed to sustain economic prosperity on the 87th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“My marching guidance has always remained constant: we commit to the cause of peace. The security and stability of the country remain the priority,” President Marcos said in a speech.
“I call on you to continue performing your duties as you have had for many, many years… so that our country can achieve peace and security, and sustain economic prosperity,” the President said.
Mr. Marcos said his government remains committed to the AFP modernization and will partner with the military towards achieving the vision of a strong, credible, and world-class armed forces that is a source of national pride.
Honoring Filipino soldiers for their gallantry and dedication, Marcos praised them for keeping the peace, upholding democratic ideals, and defending the country for nearly a century.
“The Armed Forces had never failed the nation,” the President said, noting during the pandemic, it remained steadfast not just in the fulfillment of its duties, but also in assisting the government in fighting the unseen war.
The President also commended the AFP for its successful campaign against communist rebels and lawless elements who impede the delivery of government services, assistance, and infrastructure development.
The military also played a major role in responding to calamities through its humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts, he said.
He also lauded the AFP for sustaining its existing defense and security engagements while exploring new areas for cooperation with its counterparts overseas.
“New security challenges do not recognize borders and we must continue to work with our neighbors, our allies, partners, and friends to address mutual security concerns,” Mr. Marcos said.
“And aside from these partnerships, the Armed Forces needs to have in its arsenal the capabilities to effectively combat threats and to secure the country—all its more than 7,000 islands and all its features,” he added.
Also on Monday, AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said the military will report all Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) violations by foreign vessels to the proper diplomatic authorities.
The statement was issued after a Philippine Navy boat received a radio challenge from the Chinese Coast Guard while they were on a resupply mission to the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“As reported by the Western Command, we have seen many violations by foreign vessels in areas which are within our current exclusive economic zones. So, what we do is to monitor and report them to proper authorities because we are using diplomatic track in resolving issues or conflicts within the area,” Aguilar said in a televised public briefing.
On the domestic front, the AFP said its internal security operations are now closer to victory against “spoilers of peace and lawless elements.”
“Internal security operations are of prime importance to ensure the safety and security of our citizens against spoilers of peace and lawless elements. On this front we can confidently state that we have achieved strategic victory and it is inching closer towards victory against terrorism,” AFP chief Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro said in his speech during the military’s 87th founding anniversary celebration at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
Bacarro also said the government’s localized peace-building efforts with a multi-stakeholder and whole-of-nation approach also yielded positive results as it “encouraged enemies of the state” to return to the “fold of the law” and build goodwill with communities.
Data from the AFP showed that out of 89 guerilla fronts in existence in 2016, only 24 are left with only five active to date.
In other developments:
• The Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines has filed 193 note verbales against China this year, 65 of which were filed during the Marcos administration. The Philippines on Dec. 12 filed a diplomatic protest over the Chinese Coast Guard’s illegal actions on Nov. 20, 2022, involving the rocket debris retrieval operations of the Philippine Navy.
• The Senate has adopted an unnumbered resolution on the “bullying” by a Chinese vessel against the Philippine Navy in the West Philippine Sea in November 2022. Meanwhile, Senator Loren Legarda said the government must again assert the 2016 Hague ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration and declare China’s expansive maritime claims devoid of merit.