President Duterte on Tuesday urged Filipinos to rally behind the Armed Forces for their significant role in national security and disaster response.
“If there is disorder, they establish order. If there is a lawless environment, they provide stability. Ang sundalo natin, atong mga sundalo, they are everything and that is why you should love your soldier. Tayong mga Pilipino, tulungan natin,” Duterte, speaking at the 84th anniversary celebration of the Armed Forces, said.
The President recognized how the AFP can be relied upon in times of distress, particularly in the recent earthquakes that rocked Mindanao and the storm and flooding that inundated parts of Luzon and some areas in the Visayas.
“Let me take this occasion to recognize your significant contributions not only in defending our nation from external and internal security threats, but also in humanitarian and disaster response in times of natural and man-made calamities,” Duterte said.
“Ang sundalo kasi natin, sundalo ng bayan at utusan ng bayan at runner ng bayan at lahat na. Kagaya nangyari sa Mindanao, may earthquake, nandoon sila. ‘Pag magbaha, nandoon sila. ‘Pag may pumutok na volcano, sila ‘yung nauna,” he added.
The President expressed optimism that the Armed Forces will remain committed in its duty as the primary force in realizing lasting peace and sustainable development across the country.
“The Filipino people will continue count on each member of the AFP,” he said, asking them to remain steadfast in their noble mission to defend the sovereignty and maintain peace.
Duterte said that there are still various security challenges that the country has to address, including the New People’s Army, kidnapping-for-ransom groups, Abu Sayyaf Group, and drug traffickers.
He added that the government is still fighting for the survival of the nation, adding that it continues to intensify efforts to eradicate the ills that still plague the society.
“We have to assure that the next generation will be freed of these vagaries of life, especially itong droga for it will affect the quality of our nation tomorrow,” Duterte said.
“We cannot afford to get something like one-fourth of the population disoriented, insane because of drugs. It is our sworn duty to protect them,” he added. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)
