Marcos to troops on PH Army’s 128th anniversary: Serve for greater good
MANILA, Philippines — Soldiers must not only display courage and skill but also the willingness to set aside their interests for the country’s greater good, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Saturday as the Philippine Army marked its 128th anniversary.
“Sa panahon ngayon, hindi sapat ang tapang at husay ng isang sundalo. Kinakailangan ang [paninindigang] hindi natitinag sa harap ng pagsubok, ang prinsipyong hindi nababaluktot ng takot o pangamba, at ang pusong laging handa maglingkod nang tapat at walang hinihintay na kapalit,” Marcos said.
(In today’s world, courage and skill are not enough for a soldier. What is needed is steadfastness in the face of trial, a principle that is not bent by fear or apprehension, and a heart that is always ready to serve faithfully and without expecting anything in return.)
“Sa anumang institusyon, hindi sapat ang ranggo o kapangyarihan. Ang tunay na sukatan ay ang kahandaan na isantabi ang sariling interes para [sa] mas mataas na layunin. Bagama’t iba-iba tayo ng papel na ginagampanan, dapat mangibabaw ang ating adhikaing bumuo ng mas nagkakaisa, mas makatarungan, at tunay na mapayapang bansa,” he added.
(In any institution, rank or power is not enough. The true measure is the willingness to put aside self-interest for the greater good. Although we play different roles, our goal must prevail to build a more united, more just, and truly peaceful nation.)
“As we mark the 128th founding anniversary, we are again reminded why we choose to serve. We do it not for ourselves, but also for the countless generations that will come after us,” he added.
The President also noted that the government must lead by example, strive to listen, and serve with integrity to “rise above adversities and move forward as a people.”
“When peace and order are in place, we can pursue knowledge, we can work towards prosperity, and we can contribute to our country’s progress,” Marcos said.
“To achieve this, the government must lead by example. We strive for a government that listens, that acts and serves with integrity. That is the only way to rise above adversities and move forward as a people,” he added.
Among the issues currently faced by the government are the controversies surrounding the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte last March 11.
Reports on military resignations circulated online after this, which the Armed Forces of the Philippines already dismissed.
READ: AFP dismisses claims of military resignations after Duterte arrest
On March 13, Philippine Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala issued a statement, saying they had not received any report of soldiers resigning.
“If these reports are from social media then we will not believe it. But currently, we have not received reports of actual soldiers of the Philippine Army resigning,” he said.
Dema-ala said the Army remains in high morale and remains a professional organization focused on its mandate.
“We are facing other problems here in the Philippine Army so we are focused on our mandate,” he stressed, adding that there is no need for a loyalty check.
