“Do not be deceived by what’s happening. Let’s stay focused.”
President Marcos issued this reminder to the military when he visited the Southern Luzon Command in Camp General Guillermo Nakar in Lucena City on Friday, Nov. 29.
Although he did not mention any of his political bickering with the Duterte family, his statement came at the height of their exchanges, which stemmed from Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged death threat to him, his wife, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and his cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
While he was acknowledging the “good work” the command did, especially during the recent series of typhoons that struck Luzon, Marcos told them to: Keep up the good work and, we, in the civilian government, are completely behind you.
“Huwag kayong nalilinlang sa mga nangyayari. Let’s stay focused. Pare-pareho tayo,” Marcos told the troops.
When the noises get louder, the President said, think about what your real mission is.
“Ako, ganoon ang isip, pagka marami — maingay ang nangyayari, iniisip ko lagi: ano ba talaga trabaho ko? Trabaho ko ba’y makipag-away diyan? Trabaho ko makipagdebate diyan sa mga walang kwentang bagay?,” Marcos said.
“Hindi. Ang trabaho ko ay pagandahin ang Pilipinas. Kayo naman, may mission din kayo,” he added.
The commander-in-chief further reminded the military that “your mission is to defend the people and the Republic—the people of the Republic of the Philippines and the state of the Republic of the Philippines.”
“Let’s keep that mission clear in our mind. And kung nadi-distract tayo — siyempre maraming sigaw, maraming ingay — ‘pag nadi-distract tayo at sabi papaano na ito? Madali iyan, madali ang sagot diyan: Ano ba ang mission ko? Iyon, ‘yun ang tutuparin ko,” he said.
In his speech, Marcos also lauded the command for its accomplishments in fighting communist insurgency, and reminded them about the country’s transition from internal to external defense amid the current geopolitical situation.
He also commended the Armed Forces of the Philippines for responding to the recent calamities in the country. (Betheena Unite)
