MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the Philippines should be ready as more external threats are expected due to the increasing geopolitical tension in the Indo-Pacific.
According to the Chief Executive, the country’s location is near Taiwan, which puts the country in China’s area of interest, making it necessary for the Philippines to prepare for any eventuality.
“And that is why …the external threat now has become more pronounced, has become more worrisome. And that is why we have to prepare,” Marcos said to the members of the Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division at Camp Melchor dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela.
“So, that is the mission that you have before you. Now, you have two missions, whereas before it was only internal security, now it also covers territorial defense from external threats,” he added.
President Marcos also said that although the Philippines is not taking any territory, its leadership has to think about and fully commit to defend its territory.
“We are not trying to take territory. We are not trying to redraw the lines of sovereign territory, the EEZ [exclusive economic zone], the baseline,” the President said.
“Hindi natin binabago anything na kahit isang — not even one inch. Ngunit hindi tayo puwedeng pumayag na kukunin naman ‘yan sa atin,” the Chief Executive added.
President Marcos, in the same speech, also stressed the importance of providing the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the equipment, training, and facilities it needs./PN
