By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet

“I encourage the Army to exemplify integrity, discipline, professionalism—as these are the bedrocks of your institution.”

As the country continues to grapple with both internal and external threats that threaten to disrupt peace and order, the citizenry places its trust in uniformed personnel to uphold the rule of law and preserve the integrity of society.

During the 129th founding anniversary celebration of the Philippine Army on Thursday, March 19, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. hailed the courage of men and women who tirelessly serve at the frontlines of security to shield their compatriots from harm and chaos.

In his speech, President Marcos Jr. honored the enduring legacy of the institution that continues to address challenges, irrespective of its origins and impact on the nation.

He addressed the 110,000-strong military force, “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.

To meet this challenge, this administration remains steadfast in modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines, while advancing meaningful peace-building initiatives at the grassroots.”

Forward-looking institution

The President went on to highlight the various initiatives undertaken by the Philippine Army and other government agencies to protect communities and fortify the country’s defense posture.

Chief among them was the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict’s  (NTF-ELCAC) efforts in encouraging rebels to lay down their arms and yield to authorities—marking the start of a new chapter in their lives away from guerrilla warfare.

This is bolstered by the NTF-ELCAC Barangay Development Plan, which provides support to communities and paves the way for lasting peace.

In support of national defense, the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept lays the framework for the Army to perform external security and internal security operations simultaneously.

The Land Defense Concept, on the other hand, continues to be refined through Katihan,  the annual combined arms training exercise that aims to enhance rapid deployment and strengthen maritime defense.

President Marcos Jr. expounded, “We also invest in capacity-building through inter-agency exercises among the AFP, the PNP, Philippine Coast Guard, and this we have been doing since 2025. These efforts deepen coordination and readiness across all our institutions.”

He added further, “In collaboration with the DOST, you have participated in the development of the Control Operated, Battle-Ready Armament Project (COBRA). This is a strong step towards innovation and the growth of our local defense industry.”

The Chief Executive concluded his remarks by honoring the Army’s recognition from the Anti-Red Tape Authority’s (ARTA) Report Card Survey Awards 2.0, and the bronze medal bestowed by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to the military institution.

jpv