#PBBMSONA2022 MANILA - Like previous commanders-in-chief before him, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. vowed to "defend every square inch of the country's territory". In this regard, the Department of National Defense (DND) has a vital role in protecting the country's territories and upholding its sovereignty. While going to war is not an option, the Philippines has made significant gains in terms of upgrading its territorial defense capability through the acquisition of military assets and escalation of maritime patrols to combat the threat of terrorism and prevent incursions that may ignite tensions. The Marcos administration is expected to take over the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program, which is now about to enter its Third Horizon from 2023 to 2028. The AFP Modernization Program's Horizon Two is scheduled for 2018 to 2022 while Horizon One covered the years 2013 to 2017 and resulted in the acquisition of
DND officer-in-charge Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. (File photo) MANILA - Department of National Defense (DND) officer-in-charge Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. on Monday said he will do everything in his authority to ensure that the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty are protected. This is foremost in Faustino's 10-point agenda which seeks to align the department's policies with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s promise of a stronger and better Philippines through national unity, nation-building, and economic recovery. Faustino, in a statement Monday, said the DND shall strengthen its efforts to protect Philippine territory pursuant to the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration decision on the South China Sea which ruled in favor of Manila. "Our President has declared on several occasions that our sovereignty is sacred and inviolable, and not a square inch of what is ours will be ceded to anyone," he added. Faustino also said
At the official residence of Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko, one of the most beautiful and tastefully decorated in Manila, members of the diplomatic and defense corps gathered to commemorate the anniversary.
Department of National Defense (DND) officer-in-charge Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. (Photo courtesy of DND) MANILA - Department of National Defense (DND) officer-in-charge Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. pledged to continue the implementation of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program which is now about to enter its Third Horizon. Faustino made the commitment during the first DND-AFP command conference that took place at the AFP general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Monday. During the meeting, Faustino presented to the AFP top brass the directive of the President and commander-in-chief Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to defend "every square inch of the country's territory." The AFP Modernization Program's Horizon Two is scheduled for 2018 to 2022 while Horizon Three is slated for 2023 to 2028. Meanwhile, Horizon One covered the years 2013 to 2017 and resulted in the acquisition of the three Del Pilar-clas
(File photo) MANILA - The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday reminded the public to be more vigilant and take precautions against flash floods and landslides caused by bad weather. "We remind the public to remain alert and prepared for the increasing likelihood of floods and landslides during this rainy season," NDRRMC chair, Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. said in a social media post of the Office of the Civil Defense over the weekend. Faustino, who is also Department of National Defense office-in-charge, said the body will continue to strengthen its "mechanisms, systems, and actions" that will ensure the continued safety of the Filipino people. "As we observe the National Disaster Resilience Month, I hope that everyone will take part in our call for collective actions towards a safe. resilient and prosperous nation," he added. Last week, some 500 families have been affected by floods in the province of Ifugao. The