News Release

PBBM commends AFP; says economic prosperity won’t be attained sans securing peace, order


President Ferdinand R.Marcos Jr.on Monday commended the Armed Forces of the Philippines for playing the main role in securing the territories of the country.

“Ngunit kailangan malaman ng ating mga Armed Forces, kailangan ninyong malaman na hindi – kami sa civilian, hindi namin kayang gawin ‘yung aming ginagawa kung hindi mapayapa ang Pilipinas, kung hindi ang peace and order ay maayos, kung hindi masasabi natin secure ang Pilipinas,” the President told the military officials and personnel of the AFP Visayas Command during his Talk to Troops event at the Brigadier General Benito N. Ebuen Airbase in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

The Commander-in-Chief noted that securing the peace and order situation and protecting the people from both domestic and international threats are vital in economic development.

“Kung ‘yan ay inaalala natin, ‘yung ating mga pinapangarap para sa ating mga kababayan na mas magandang buhay ay hindi natin magagawa, hindi natin matutupad if the Armed Forces is not doing their job, if the Armed Forces is not continuing to protect the Republic and the Armed Forces is not continuing to protect the citizens of the Philippines. Kaya’t the foundation of all that we do is peace,” President Marcos pointed out.

“Our foreign policy is guided by a commitment to peace and guided by the national interest. Kaya’t kapayapaan ang pinakamahalaga,” the chief executive added.

President Marcos said for many years, the Philippines managed to “maintain that peace and maintain that understanding with all of our neighbors. Now things have begun to change and we must adjust accordingly.”

“But I know in my heart, I know that our men, our officers, our men, our women in the military will always stand up, will always stand up to the challenges that the Philippines faces in the best tradition of the military, in the best tradition of our heroes that have gone past. Once again, we continue to see heroes being made in our military,” the President pointed out.

Earlier in the day, President Marcos, along with other national and local government officials in Cebu, spearheaded the launch of key public sector projects such as the Bus Rapid Transit system and the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino project in the province.(PND)