President Marcos underscored the “excellence in public service” that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) showed as they work “beyond military operation” in the wake of several typhoons that hit the country in the past months.
President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. administers the oath of newly promoted Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) generals and flag officers in Malacañan on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (Santi San Juan/MANILA BULLETIN)
In his speech during the oath-taking ceremony of newly promoted generals and flag officers of the AFP on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Malacañan Palace, the President lauded the military troops’ latest achievement, which was a “clear reflection” of “how your expertise, your discipline, and commitment to the nation have come together in pursuit of the welfare of our people.”
And while the AFP remains the “bedrock of our sovereignty” in defending the Philippines sovereignty and sovereign and territorial rights, Marcos highlighted its role in times of natural disasters.
“Beyond military operations, you have been instrumental in providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response during some of our darkest hours,” he said.
“In the wake of Severe Tropical Storms Kristine, Nika, Super Typhoons Leon and Pepito, your swift and coordinated efforts saved many, many lives. These actions remind us that the AFP is a force of compassion,” he added.
Marcos also called on the AFP “to empower our troops to serve our communities better.”
“Train them to respond not only with skill but with empathy—ensuring that their actions reflect the highest ideals of public service,” he urged.
The accolades and achievements of the AFP troops, the President stressed, are not merely the true measure of public service, but such can also be seen in the way they carry out their responsibilities of securing the nation and future generations of Filipinos.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive lamented that the country continues to face threats to its sovereignty and lawless elements that undermine peace and stability.
“As stewards of our national defense, you bear the solemn responsibility of ensuring the security of our land, of our seas, of our skies, our cyberspace,” he said, stressing the importance of upholding international maritime laws and deepening commitments to regional peace and cooperation in defending the Philippines’ maritime rights.
He also commended the AFP for launching the Combined Coordination Center at Camp Aguinaldo in partnership with the United States Indo-Pacific Command, which is a “leap forward” in the country’s defense modernization efforts, and the eighth iteration of AFP Joint Exercise “DAGIT-PA” or Dagat-Langit-Lupa.
The latter sharpened the troops’ tactics, techniques, and procedures to better address “evolving security threats” and operationalize the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept.