By Brian Jules Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday emphasized the need for the Philippines to prepare for “any eventuality” amid “more pronounced” external threats in the Indo-Pacific region due to heightened geopolitical tensions.
During his visit to the Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Tala at Camp Melchor dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela, President Marcos directed military personnel in Northern Luzon to be well-prepared as the proximity of the Philippines to Taiwan puts it in China’s “area of interest”.
“The external threat now has become more pronounced, has become more worrisome. And that is why we have to prepare,” Marcos said.
According to the Chief Executive, the 5th ID’s mission now includes territorial defense from external threats.
“So, that is the mission that you have before you. Now, you have two missions, whereas before it was only internal security,” he said.
Marcos said although the Philippines is not taking any territory, its leadership has to fully commit to defend its territory and pursue various efforts, including continued diplomacy, to maintain peace in the region.
“We are not trying to take territory. We are not trying to redraw the lines of sovereign territory, the EEZ, the baseline,” he said.
“Hindi natin binabago anything na kahit isang — not even one inch. Ngunit hindi tayo puwedeng pumayag na kukunin naman ‘yan sa atin,” he added.
The changing geopolitical landscape and emerging new threats, according to the President, prompted the government to include Cagayan as a site for the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States.
The Joint Task Force Tala covers parts of Ilocos and Cagayan Valley regions and the entire Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). It also supervises the 501st, 502nd, and 503rd Infantry Brigades, Joint Task Group Baguio, Philippine Air Force (PAF) Tactical Operations Group 1, and Tactical Operations Group 2. – avds
