PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged the new graduates of the Philippine Military Academy to assert the country’s territory and protect any part of it from any foreign invasion.
Speaking at the PMA commencement exercises of Class Bagong Sinag of 2024 in Baguio City on Saturday, Marcos said attempts to divert the Filipinos’ attention and dissipate their vigilance should not draw the new military officers away from the threats the nation is facing.
The tasks, the President said, include keeping the Filipino people safe in their homes, Philippine territories secured, defenses against threats strong, and democracy vibrant and stable.
He added said the new graduates are also “inductees” in the national effort to address various issues. He mentioned the efforts against groups whose fossilized ideas have been rejected by people tired of war, and against invaders.
“These are intruders who have been disrespecting our territorial integrity. We will vigorously defend what is ours. But our conduct must always be guided by law and [by] our responsibility as a rules-abiding member of the community of nations,” Marcos said.
He said the country should be defended “against evolving threats that harm our people and corrode social and political trust.” “We will be adept, we will be flexible, and we will be ready in repelling such things,” the chief executive told the 238-strong class.
