Military shifts focus on external defense

MindanaoToday.com | Military shifts focus on external defense 

By: Uriel Quilinguing

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, April 22, said the country’s security landscape has evolved because of the military’s success in helping reduce insurgency to its lowest levels in decades.

This achievement has allowed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to shift its focus toward external defense and territorial security, the President, who is also the commander-in-chief of the AFP, said.

“Your role as peacemaker has brought us to this point, where the role of the military is transitioning away from internal security and focusing now more on external security,” President Marcos told the officers of the Philippine Army’s 4^th Infantry Division at Camp Edilberto Evangelista in this city.

He assured AFP personnel that the civilian government remains fully committed to providing them with the training, resources, and equipment that are necessary in fulfilling their collective mission.

“Kaya ipagpatuloy lang natin ang (so let us just go on with the) partnership between the civilian government and the Armed Forces, and I believe that we will be able to face any challenge as long as we stand together,” he further said.

The President then handed over a check worth P28.5 million, earmarked for procuring various medical equipment for the Camp Evangelista Station Hospital (CESH) of the 4^th ID to enhance the division’s medical facilities. It is intended to boost healthcare services for soldiers, civilian staff, and their dependents as well as civilian patients.

A boodle fight was then held and, side by side with the 4^th ID Diamond Troopers, President Marcos shared a humble yet meaningful meal.

Subsequently, the President presided over the meeting of the Regional Development Council of Northern Mindanao, the membership of which include provincial governors, city mayors, heads of regional line agencies, private sector and civil society representatives.

President Marcos led the discussions on vital regional development updates, security challenges, inter-agency coordination, and ongoing projects and programs that could boost the region’s development, aligned with his administration’s commitment to ensure the inclusive and continuous socio-economic growth of Northern Mindanao. [Uriel Quilinguing/MT]

Earlier, the President was accorded with the traditional military honors, led by the commander of the 4^th ID, Major General Michele B. Anayron Jr.; the commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), Lieutenant General Luis Rex D. Bergante; and other AFP senior officers.

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