Marcos Jr. backs AFP efforts vs cyber security threats

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has assured the military of his continued support for stepped up efforts to combat cyber security threats.

The President gave the assurance yesterday to the Armed Forces of the Philippines during his mid-year command conference with AFP officials led by Gen. Romeo Brawner at Camp Aguinaldo.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines received a moral boost from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as he lauded its men and women for their gallantry in fighting the local insurgency and defending the national territory,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.

“He (Marcos) vowed to continue supporting the AFP especially in its bid to adapt to new tactics against cybersecurity threats, which has become crucial in protecting Filipinos from external and internal threats,” the PCO added.

During the Army’s 127th founding anniversary celebration in Tarlac last March, Marcos cited the need for the military to boost its cybersecurity capabilities and to adopt new
 technologies through increased collaboration among the major services and with the country’s foreign defense counterparts.

“Our ability to counter cyber threats is also of great importance. Given this emerging threat, I urge the Philippine Army to bolster its cybersecurity capabilities to keep up with the rapid technological advancements and help maintain the country’s security and stability,” Marcos said in a speech delivered by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr.

At the command conference, several military unit commanders gave their assessment on current situations particularly the status of both internal and external security threats facing the country.

Marcos, who is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, attended the command conference to get insights on the progress of campaigns and programs for the first semester and to provide directives to the top brass halfway through 2024.

The conference led by Brawner included top military officers from the General Headquarters, AFP-wide Support and Separate Units, Major Services and Unified Commands, as well as commanders from the army, air force and naval units.

At the conference, ground commanders presented detailed updates on their respective operations and their assessment of internal and external security threats.

AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said an outbrief of this year’s Balikatan exercises between the Philippine and US military was also presented to the President.

Updating strategies

In his message, Brawner underscored the AFP’s dedication to updating its strategies and tactics to address both internal and external threats effectively.

“We are grateful for the guidance of the President. As our commander-in-chief, his directives will shape our future plans and programs,” he said.

“We remain steadfast in aligning our efforts with his vision for a secure and peaceful nation,” Brawner maintained.

Meanwhile, Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro praised the country’s security alliance with the US, which celebrated its Independence Day yesterday, saying the enduring friendship, partnership and alliance between the two countries “shine the brightest” in “defending the rules-based order.”

“We recognize the pivotal role of our alliance and strengthening our own defense capabilities and safeguarding peace and security in Indo-Pacific more so now in the face of challenges to international law,” Lazaro said in her remarks at the US Independence Day reception in Taguig City.

“The increasing frequency and scope of our engagement signal our unwavering commitment to harnessing our partnership for peace and development not only within our respective countries but also in the broader region,” she stated.

She said the inaugural Philippines-US-Japan Trilateral Leaders Summit in Washington was “a testament to our shared commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.”

US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said the past 12 months marked a year of “considerable challenges and exceptional achievements” for US-Philippine partnership.

The Fourth of July, she said, is also a celebration of the US-Philippines’ strong and enduring people-to-people ties, economic cooperation as partners in prosperity, and security and defense collaboration as treaty allies committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The ambassador reiterated the US’ alliance commitment to the Philippines.

“Together with our partners, we remain unwavering in our commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight, and to the importance of respecting the sovereign rights of states within their exclusive economic zones consistent with international law,” Carlson said.

Washington has repeatedly slammed China’s repeated harassment of Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea, saying it is “detrimental” to regional peace and security.

Although the US welcomed efforts to de-escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea, Washington said it doubted China’s commitment, as its “actions speak louder than words” especially in Ayungin Shoal. - Michael Punongbayan, Pia Lee-Brago