The Armed Forces of the Philippines should remain vigilant amid growing external regional threats, President Marcos said during his visit to the 11th Infantry Division at Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Sulu.
He said the government will create a task force with a maritime force and Navy component to enhance the Philippine Coast Guard’s presence and enforce maritime security.
“That’s what we’re going to do to make ourselves more secure, especially here in your area because I’m sure there are many instances where we have reports of ships passing by,” the President said.
“So, we just have to stay alert and keep an eye on everything that’s happening to make sure we monitor everything,” he added, noting AFP’s shift to external defense.
He likewise called on the AFP to help ensure the holding of peaceful elections for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliament next year.
“We must hold a peaceful election [next year]…It’s important that we make sure that members of the parliament are elected the right way,” the President said.
“There should be no terrorism or political violence. Those should be minimized,” he added.
This will be the first time for the country to conduct parliamentary elections for the BARMM, which will coincide with the midterm legislative elections on May 12, 2025.
Mr. Marcos reminded the military that elections must be won in peace.
“Let us not sit on our laurel. Let us not become complacent because these are challenges that we will have to manage,” he said.
“That is all in the interest of peace. We do this because we want peace to continue in this area, in the southern Philippines. We do not want to see the kind of fighting that we saw many decades ago,” he said.
