'Prepare for formidable foe'

ARMED Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. urged the troops to be ready to face a «formidable» adversary in the face of emerging complex security challenges.

In a speech during the opening of Ajax Dagitpa 07-2023 multi-lateral exercises in Camp Aguinaldo, Brawner said there is no room for complacency.

«We can face a formidable competitor or adversary anytime in the future; it could be in the near future; it could be in the far future, but it is important that we prepare today,» he told participants of Dagitpa 2023.

At least 1,500 active and reserve forces from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Cyber Group will participate in 12-day training maneuvers to be held in Northern Luzon.

«We should further enhance the military's capability to respond to threats to national security,» Brawner said.

«In this ever-changing world, the importance of joint operating concepts cannot be overstated. Together, we will harness the power of seamless collaboration across services, leaving no room for weakness or division,» he said.

He underscored the need to beef up territorial defenses and sharpen external security capabilities.

«We will demonstrate to the world that we are a force to be reckoned with,» Brawner said.

The exercise also aims to establish an effective command and control structure and a common operational system in order to effectively respond to any crisis, he said.

The exercise would push the boundaries of the AFP's capabilities and «test the mettle of our joint force as never before,» he added.

«We are not mere participants in a routine exercise; we are the leaders and the defenders of our nation,» he added.

«It is true with our unwavering resolve, unparalleled skill and unwavering unity that we will prevail. Every step that we take here [and] every decision we make will reverberate across our armed forces and the other uniformed service with the very soul of our nation,» Brawner said.