The government’s Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept was the center of discussion during the command conference of the Philippine Army, led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in Malacañang, Manila on Tuesday.
In a Facebook post, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the Commander-in-Chief led the discussion on how the Army can contribute to the country’s new defense posture which aims to secure Philippine seas and territory.
“Sa Philippine Army (PA) Command Conference ngayong araw, sentro ng talakayan na pinangunahan ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang mga hakbang ng PA upang suportahan ang Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept para sa depensa ng karagatan at teritoryo ng Pilipinas (At the Philippine ArmyCommand Conference today, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the discussion on how the Army can support the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept for the defense of the Philippine sea and territory),” the PCO said.
“Pinag-usapan din ang mga update sa pagpapabuti ng kakayahan ng ating militar sa pamamagitan ng PA Capability Development Program (Updates on improving the capabilities of our military through the PA Capability Development Program were also discussed),” it added.
Aside from Marcos, also in the meeting were Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff Romeo Brawner Jr. and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, along with the top officials of the Army.
Under the new defense strategy, the country’s military pivots to a more outward-looking defense posture and must focus on strengthening other services of the AFP, not just the Philippine Navy.
The Philippines adopted the new defense strategy amid China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
21 Army officers promoted
On Monday, Marcos led the oathtaking ceremony of 39 newly promoted senior military officers at the Palace, 21 of whom belong to the Philippine Army.
The Army promotees were led by AFP Inspector General Lt. Gen. Steve Crespillo, Army Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Leodevic Guinid, 10th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Allan Hambala and assistant commander Brig. Gen. Febie Lamerez, Intelligence Service Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Maj. Gen. Edmundo Peralta, Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations Maj. Gen. Arvin Lagamon, and Civil Relations Service commander Maj. Gen. Ramon Zagala. (PNA)