MANILA PHILIPPINES – President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. has directed the members of the Philippine Army, particularly the 5th Infantry Division at Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela to prepare for any external threats as a result of the rising geopolitical tension in the Indo-Pacific Region.
According to President Marcos, the Philippines is close to Taiwan where China has expressed interest, so it is important that the northern part of the Philippines to be prepared for any threats.
He said that in the past, the only mission of our troops was only in internal security by eliminating local terrorist groups, communist groups, and other domestic threats.
But as the government successfully tackled internal security, the focus has since shifted to external threats, particularly China’s activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“[T]he external threat now has become more pronounced, has become more worrisome. And that is why we have to prepare,” according to President Marcos.
President Marcos emphasized to the soldiers that their mission today is territorial defense from external threats.
Although the Philippines is not claiming any territory, the country will not give up any sovereign territory in our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
“We are not trying to take territory. We are not trying to redraw the lines of sovereign territory, the EEZ, the baseline,” the president added.