Fortifying the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense posture will help the military to better defend the country’s territory from internal and external threats, including its maritime interests in the hotly-contested West Philippine Sea .
Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana presided over the joint change of command and retirement ceremony held at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. “I intend to pursue a reliable and appropriate defense posture for the attainment of lasting peace. To accomplish this, we will follow a direction based on experience and best practices learned over decades of service and collective efforts to achieve [the] goal of having a safe and peaceful country for our people,” he added.
Currently, the modernization program is on its second “horizon” or phase which will run from 2018 to 2022. The first phase was conducted from 2013 to 2017 while the third and last phase will take place from 2023 to 2028. Among the military’s new acquisitions include two missile-capable frigates, six close air support aircraft, and 16 combat utility helicopters.
“The AFP’s overall military disposition, condition of readiness, and strength shall be fined-tuned to respond to the challenges we are now facing,” Faustino said, noting that insurgency is among the biggest threats being faced by the country along with the coronavirus disease pandemic , territorial dispute, terrorism, and natural disasters.
He urged every soldier, airman, sailor, and marine to “serve with honor and patriotism,” and “place our national interest over [personal] interest, patriotism over politics, sacrifice over comfort, and to do the right thing over [what] is convenient.”
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