President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. told the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that economic prosperity will not be attained if there is no peace and order in the country.

This as he commended them for playing the main role in securing the territories of the country.

"Ngunit kailangan malaman ng ating mga Armed Forces, kailangan ninyong malaman na hindi – kami sa civilian, hindi namin kayang gawin yung aming ginagawa kung hindi mapayapa ang Pilipinas, kung hindi ang peace and order ay maayos, kung hindi masasabi natin secure ang Pilipinas (Our Armed Forces need to know that we, civilians, cannot continue with our roles if the there is no peace and order in the Philippines, if there is no security in the Philippines)," Marcos told AFP Visayas Command during his visit at the Brigadier General Benito N. Ebuen Airbase in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on Monday, Feb. 27.

The President reminded them that peace and order are vital in economic development, so he called on to them to continue doing their job.

"Kung ‘yan ay inaalala natin, yung ating mga pinapangarap para sa ating mga kababayan na mas magandang buhay ay hindi natin magagawa, hindi natin matutupad if the Armed Forces is not doing their job, if the Armed Forces is not continuing to protect the Republic and the Armed Forces is not continuing to protect the citizens of the Philippines. Kaya’t the foundation of all that we do is peace (If it continues to be our concern, our dream of a better life for our fellowmen will not be achieved, we cannot attain it)," Marcos pointed out.

The commander-in-chief further said that the AFP also needs to adjust accordingly to the changes in maintaining the peace and understanding with the country's neighbors in the region.

"Our foreign policy is guided by a commitment to peace and guided by the national interest. Kaya’t kapayapaan ang pinakamahalaga (So peace is the most important)," he said.

"But I know in my heart, I know that our men, our officers, our men, our women in the military will always stand up, will always stand up to the challenges that the Philippines faces in the best tradition of the military, in the best tradition of our heroes that have gone past. Once again, we continue to see heroes being made in our military," the President added.

Marcos went back to Cebu on Monday to lead various activities such as the launch the Bus Rapid Transit system, opening of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo, groundbreaking ceremony of the Cebu City South Coastal Urban Development Housing Project, and distribution of various government assistance to beneficiaries in Mandaue City.