New generals and flag officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines take their oath before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang. | PHOTO: Presidential Communications Office (PCO)
MANILA, Philippines — Filipino soldiers, when faced with adversity, must be an indestructible fortress.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday told new leaders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to remain resolute in the face of the changing dynamic of geopolitics and global security.
The President had sworn in new generals and flag officers in the AFP at Malacañan Palace in Manila. Marcos Jr. said the AFP must remain formidable to defend the country’s interests during his address to the new leaders.
“With the ever-changing dynamic of geopolitics and the global security environment, more challenges will undoubtedly lie ahead, but cognisant of these circumstances, the AFP must always emerge effective, formidable, and responsive as you have always done, in order that our country’s integrity and interests are defended and are preserved,” said Marcos Jr.
Marcos Jr. did not mention geopolitics, although the Philippines and China have long disputed the West Philippine Sea.
READ: Aggression in West PH Sea: China’s maritime ‘Great Wall’ plan
“High level of security, intelligence, and analysis will be expected, to fully apprise the Commander-in-chief in strategically guiding our planning and all of our decision-making. This is a new era for the AFP, one that now looks outward, while also looking at the gains we made internally,” said Marcos Jr.
Marcos Jr. stressed that the new AFP leaders must mentor future military leaders.
“You are to lead and mobilize the nation’s new generation of guardians and future leaders and instill in them the virtues of discipline, valor and patriotic public service that has brought you to this day today,” said Marcos Jr.
The President has pledged his support for the AFP, of which he is the commander-in-chief.
“I will ensure that the strength of the organization and the wellbeing of its personnel are attended to,” said Marcos Jr.
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