By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
“Panata ito ng katapatan sa tungkulin at paninindigan para sa bayan.”
At the oath-taking ceremony of 29 newly promoted generals and flag officers and 14 newly commissioned second lieutenants and ensigns from Foreign Pre-Commission Training Institutions (FPCTIs) on Wednesday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. honored the indispensable contributions of the Armed Forces in serving the country and allied nations in times of need.
This, as Marcos reminded the soldiers of their Constitutional duty to serve the citizenry and protect the archipelagic Southeast Asian nation amid various challenges.
President Marcos said in his speech, “Beyond immediate disaster response, we are also seeing the fruits of your service in long-term national peace and stability. More cities and provinces have been declared as areas of stable internal peace and security —marking a sustained progress in our pursuit for peace.”
He added further, “Through joint and multinational exercises, such as Balikatan 40, ALON, Talisman Sabre, and other engagements across the Indo-Pacific, you continue to sharpen our national defense posture.”
The Commander in Chief, meanwhile, emphasized the omnipresent threats that necessitate the need for a stronger and better-equipped armed forces, noting that such is aimed at weakening social foundations and undermining the integrity of Philippine democracy.
The President concluded his remarks by reaffirming his support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), vowing to do so for the welfare and future of Filipinos and of the Philippines.
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