Marcos to AFP: Remain vigilant
(UPDATES) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to remain vigilant amid the emerging regional threats, particularly in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).During his visit to the headquarters of the 11th Infantry Division in Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo, Sulu, on Friday, the President said the government carried out organizational change, especially creating a task force with a maritime group and the navy to beef up the presence of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the police in the area."This is what we're doing to keep us more secure, especially here in your area, because I'm sure that there are many, many instances that we have reports of ships passing through the area," Marcos said."So, we just have to keep vigilant and to continue to watch what is going on and to make sure that we are monitoring everything that is happening," he added.Tensions continue to grow in the highly disputed West Philippine Sea following Beijing's recent acts of aggression.Videos and photos released by the Philippine military showed tense confrontation in the Ayungin Shoal, where the BRP Sierra Madre serves as a Philippine military outpost.Several Philippine Navy personnel were injured in China's attacks on June 17, including one who lost his right thumb. The Chinese coast guard also slashed the Philippines' rigid hull inflatable boats and smashed navigational screens.President Marcos and other officials protested the Chinese assault, calling it "deliberate and illegal."But the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that the Philippines and China recently had a bilateral meeting in Manila in a bid to de-escalate and manage the disputes in the West Philippine Sea.The Philippines largely won a landmark case against China's massive claim in the South China Sea before an arbitration tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, but Beijing did not recognize the ruling.'Mission not yet over'Meanwhile, Marcos also called the AFP not to be complacent as the mission to completely destroy the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and other enemies of the state was not yet over.This as he lauded government forces in Mindanao for successfully minimizing the threat posed by the ASG and other government nemesis."I have to congratulate all of you who have worked to achieve this success, who have worked very hard and have made many sacrifices so that we can now say that the capabilities of the main threat, which is the ASG, have been severely reduced," Marcos said."Now, that does not mean that the mission is over. As you can imagine, there are still others who would like to enter and reorganize. That is why there is a need to be vigilant," he said in English and Filipino.Marcos said he was briefed by the military command in Sulu on the very constant drop in the insurgents' capabilities, manpower, and number of firearms they possess."The assessment is that the threat is only from individual actors. They are no longer working as a unit," the President said."They are ... basically [neutralized]... We have dismantled their machinery for causing, for bringing terror," he added.Marcos said he was also informed about the diminishing threat posed by other terrorist groups, particularly those inspired by Al Qaida or IS."We're no longer threatened as we used to," Marcos said.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
(UPDATES) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to remain vigilant amid the emerging regional threats, particularly in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
During his visit to the headquarters of the 11th Infantry Division in Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo, Sulu, on Friday, the President said the government carried out organizational change, especially creating a task force with a maritime group and the navy to beef up the presence of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the police in the area.
"This is what we're doing to keep us more secure, especially here in your area, because I'm sure that there are many, many instances that we have reports of ships passing through the area," Marcos said.
"So, we just have to keep vigilant and to continue to watch what is going on and to make sure that we are monitoring everything that is happening," he added.
Tensions continue to grow in the highly disputed West Philippine Sea following Beijing's recent acts of aggression.
Videos and photos released by the Philippine military showed tense confrontation in the Ayungin Shoal, where the BRP Sierra Madre serves as a Philippine military outpost.
Several Philippine Navy personnel were injured in China's attacks on June 17, including one who lost his right thumb. The Chinese coast guard also slashed the Philippines' rigid hull inflatable boats and smashed navigational screens.
President Marcos and other officials protested the Chinese assault, calling it "deliberate and illegal."
But the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that the Philippines and China recently had a bilateral meeting in Manila in a bid to de-escalate and manage the disputes in the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippines largely won a landmark case against China's massive claim in the South China Sea before an arbitration tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, but Beijing did not recognize the ruling.
'Mission not yet over'
Meanwhile, Marcos also called the AFP not to be complacent as the mission to completely destroy the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and other enemies of the state was not yet over.
This as he lauded government forces in Mindanao for successfully minimizing the threat posed by the ASG and other government nemesis.
"I have to congratulate all of you who have worked to achieve this success, who have worked very hard and have made many sacrifices so that we can now say that the capabilities of the main threat, which is the ASG, have been severely reduced," Marcos said.
"Now, that does not mean that the mission is over. As you can imagine, there are still others who would like to enter and reorganize. That is why there is a need to be vigilant," he said in English and Filipino.
Marcos said he was briefed by the military command in Sulu on the very constant drop in the insurgents' capabilities, manpower, and number of firearms they possess.
"The assessment is that the threat is only from individual actors. They are no longer working as a unit," the President said.
"They are ... basically [neutralized]... We have dismantled their machinery for causing, for bringing terror," he added.
Marcos said he was also informed about the diminishing threat posed by other terrorist groups, particularly those inspired by Al Qaida or IS.
"We're no longer threatened as we used to," Marcos said.
