MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rejected claims branding the Philippines as a breeding ground for terrorism, warning that such narratives are misleading and should not distract or demoralize the Armed Forces of the Philippines amid what he said are hard-earned security gains.
Speaking during the AFP’s 90th founding anniversary rites at Camp Aguinaldo, Marcos urged the military to remain vigilant and mission-focused, stressing that years of counterterrorism operations and community security efforts must not be undermined by unfounded allegations.
“We also reject in the strongest terms the recent misleading claims that portray our country as a training hotspot for terrorism,” the President said.
“For years, we have acted decisively to dismantle terrorist networks, to secure communities, and to sustain our hard-earned peace. To dismiss these gains with unfounded speculation is not acceptable.”
Marcos said such claims should not distract the armed forces from their core mandate of defending national sovereignty and maintaining internal stability, noting the AFP’s continuing role in safeguarding peace across the country.
Beyond combat and security operations, the President highlighted the AFP’s expanding responsibilities in disaster response, humanitarian assistance, and cybersecurity, citing the military’s critical role in protecting communities, restoring order, and guarding vital systems against emerging threats.
He also pointed to the AFP’s ongoing activities at sea, underscoring the Philippines’ position as a responsible member of the international community while remaining firm on its sovereign rights.
“In our maritime domain, we continue to conduct cooperative activities—demonstrating that we are a responsible member of the international community committed to upholding international law,” Marcos said.
“And in the same vein, we remain firm and clear with our stance: what is ours is ours. We stand our ground, with purpose and without apology.”
The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare and modernization of uniformed personnel, stressing that professionalism and readiness are vital to keeping the AFP “capable, credible, and steady” in the face of evolving security challenges./PN
