President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has renewed his promise to strengthen the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and ensure the well-being of its personnel as he highlighted the organization's importance to the country's security and democracy.
*OATH-TAKING — President Marcos administers the oath of 40 newly promoted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Malacañang, June 19, 2023. (RTVM screenshot)*


Marcos said this as he administered the oath of 40 newly promoted generals and flag officers of the AFP in Malacañang on Monday afternoon, June 19. In his speech, the President assured the AFP personnel that he was standing "resolutely behind and with" them. "I will ensure that the strength of the organization and the well-being of all its personnel are attended to," he said. Marcos said the AFP had entered a new era and now looks outward while building on the country's gains internally. Despite the ever-changing dynamics of geopolitics and the global security environment, the Chief Executive said the AFP must always emerge effective, formidable, and responsive to ensure the country's integrity and interests are defended and preserved. "Your strategic leadership will be the fulcrum and the compass so that the AFP will move in the right direction, guided by the Constitution and the democratic principles that we have all sworn to uphold," he said. Congratulating the newly sworn-in military officers, President Marcos said Filipinos have high expectations of them, stressing they will be tasked to efficiently manage the organization and its assets and maintain its effectiveness and resilience. According to the President, they will lead and mobilize the nation's new generation of guardians and future leaders and instill the virtues of discipline, valor, and patriotic public service. "High-level security intelligence and analysis will be expected to fully apprise the Commander-in-Chief and strategically guide our planning and all of our decision-making," he added.