President Bongbong Marcos has warned that the Philippines should be ready for future external threats.
During his speech in the Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division at Camp Melchor dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela, Marcos said the Philippines’ location is near Taiwan which is an area of interest to China.
“And that is why — the external threat now has become more pronounced, has become more worrisome. And that is why we have to prepare,” Marcos said.
Marcos said the 5th ID’s mission covers territorial defense and external threats.
“So, that is the mission that you have before you. Now, you have two missions, whereas before it was only internal security,” said Marcos.
Marcos said that the Philippine government is fully committed to ensuring territorial integrity.
“We are not trying to take territory. We are not trying to redraw the lines of sovereign territory, the EEZ [exclusive economic zone], the baseline,” the President said.
“Hindi natin binabago anything na kahit isang — not even one inch. Ngunit hindi tayo puwedeng pumayag na kukunin naman ‘yan sa atin,” he added.
