(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday vowed to transform the Philippine Army into a "multi-mission-ready, cross-domain, and capable force" that could readily respond to threats to the country's sovereignty.

In a speech read by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. at the Army's 127th anniversary celebration in Tarlac, Marcos reiterated his commitment to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

WOMEN ON TOP Three women of the Philippine Army (PA) pose atop one of its tanks as they and the rest of the troops put on a show of the PA's defense capabilities on its 127th anniversary in Capas, Tarlac, on Friday, March 22, 2024. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. (not in photo) delivered the speech on behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who was unable to attend for health reasons. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

"As we march onward to the Bagong Pilipinas that we aspire for, we need to transform our Army into a multi-mission-ready, cross-domain, and capable force that can effectively thwart emerging threats to our country's stability and sovereignty," he said.

"That is why we continue to boost our Army's morale, efficiency, and responsiveness through continuous capacity-building initiatives, rigorous training and education activities, and other meritorious pursuits," Marcos said.

The President urged the Army to bolster its cybersecurity capabilities.

"I hope that you will adopt the lessons you have learned, the best practices you have gained from joint operations, and interactions with other major services of the AFP and our foreign defense counterparts," he said.

The President's statement comes amid heightened tensions between the Philippines and China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Since Marcos took office in 2022, the military and coast guard have ramped up operations to supply troops at a remote outpost and escort fishermen, he said, who have relied on the waters "for generations."

The President also wants to deepen cooperation with the United States, while standing up to Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

In an interview with Bloomberg Television on Tuesday, the President said the Philippines was not deliberately provoking conflict or acting under the command of the US in asserting its sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea.

Marcos said there is a need to defend the country's territory "since the threat has grown."

"It's dangerous for one to think in terms of when something goes wrong, we'll run to 'Big Brother.' That's not the way we treat it at all. We do this because we feel that we have to do it," Marcos said.

"We want to do everything we possibly can together with our partners and allies to avoid that situation. This is not poking the bear. We're trying to do quite the opposite," he said.

Under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, the Philippines and the US agreed that an attack on one of them would be considered a threat to both and would require a joint response.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that Washington stands by its "ironclad" commitments to defend the Philippines against an armed attack in the South China Sea.

Marcos has also strengthened ties with other US allies.

The Philippines upgraded relations with Australia last year, signed defense pacts with the United Kingdom and Canada and is negotiating a deal for mutual military visits with Japan.

Marcos said his nation could not accept China's vast claims, which Beijing bases on a 1947 map that shows a vague "nine-dash line" sweeping over most of the South China Sea.

A United Nations tribunal in 2016 ruled against Beijing's claims, a verdict Chinese President Xi Jinping's government has rejected.

Despite the standoff, Marcos made it clear that he has kept talks with Beijing going and that he does not want to reach the point when the Philippines has to invoke its defense treaty with the US.

"I hope the time never comes that we have to answer that question," he said. "When you talk about the mutual defense treaty, to invoke that, actual outright violent conflict, then this is a very, very dangerous, very, very slippery road to go down."

Marcos also lauded the Army's officers, enlisted personnel, civilian employees, as well as its partners and force multipliers in the communities "for the significant roles you play in the accomplishment of the Army's mission."

"Not only has the organization been successful in its internal security operations, but it has also exerted efforts in shifting to external defense. Equally noteworthy are your peacetime endeavors, which put you at the forefront of rescue and recovery missions aimed at ensuring the safety of our citizens," Marcos said.

The President also recognized Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido "for continuing to raise the morale of our troops through your exemplary leadership."

"Our brave men and women look up to you for inspiration and guidance, and I hope that you will continue to show them your selfless and dedicated service to the nation," Marcos said.

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