President Marcos has encouraged members of the Philippine Army to deepen and uphold public trust by exemplifying integrity and professionalism in the conduct of their duties every day.

Speaking during the 129th founding anniversary of the Philippine Army on Thursday, March 19, Marcos reminded soldiers that the Army has stood as a pillar of strength, guiding the country towards peace, security, and shared progress. 

"To carry this momentum, I encourage the [Philippine] Army to exemplify integrity, discipline, professionalism as these are the bedrocks of your institution," he said in his remarks. 

"You have earned the trust of the Filipino people through your steadfast service. Every day offers an opportunity to deepen and uphold that trust," he added. 

The President further said that "a forward-looking Philippine Army stands firm in defense while remaining compassionate in the fulfillment of your duty."

He added that the Philippine Army must continue to build on the significant gains it have achieved in internal security and work with law enforcement agencies to address emerging threats.

"The demands of our time call for a force that is agile, effective, and prepared to safeguard our nation across new and evolving domains—from our maritime frontiers to the digital space," Marcos said.

In order to do this, Marcos said, his administration remains steadfast in modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines, while advancing peace-building initiatives at the grassroots. 

These are anchored in dialogue, trust, and a shared vision of inclusive progress, he added.

"Our commitment to national defense remains firm," Marcos said.

The Commander-in-Chief further said that at present, the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are monitoring developments on the ground to ensure that the country sustains it progress in addressing internal security threats.

Marcos also highlighted the role of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in promoting community stability through programs such as the Barangay Development Program.

He underscored the government’s push to enhance external defense capabilities through the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept, enabling the Army to gradually transition from internal to external security operations.

The President cited ongoing efforts to strengthen military readiness, including the annual Combined Arms Training Exercise “Katihan” and interagency exercises involving the AFP, the Philippine National Police, and the Philippine Coast Guard to improve coordination and rapid-response capabilities.

Marcos also recognized the Army’s recent achievements, including its distinction as the only uniformed service recipient of the Anti-Red Tape Authority’s Report Card Survey Awards 2.0 and a Bronze Award from the Civil Service Commission for excellence in human resource management.

The Chief Executive highlighted the military’s partnership with the Department of Science and Technology in developing the Control-Operated Battle-Ready Armament (Project C.O.B.R.A.), describing it as a step toward strengthening the country’s self-reliant defense posture and local defense industry.