Marcos on AFP’s mission to ensure orderly 2025 polls: ‘We cannot fail’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr attends the plenary session of the 44th ASEAN Summit at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane, Laos, October 9, 2024. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday reminded the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) not to fail in ensuring the peaceful and orderly conduct of the 2025 midterm elections in May.

He made the pronouncement during the oath-taking ceremony of newly promoted AFP generals and flag officers, as well as graduates of Foreign Pre-Commission Training Institutions (FPTI) in Malacañang.

In his speech, Marcos recognized the AFP for reaffirming its commitment to the state during the Solidarity Pact Signing for the 2025 National and Local Elections.

“Once again we find ourselves at a critical juncture where we have to preserve not only the integrity of our election, but the very ethos of our democracy,” he said.

“As a nation that deeply values and honors our right to vote, we are counting on the armed forces to ensure a peaceful, credible, and orderly conduct of the electoral process that the Filipinos expect from us. We cannot fail them,” he added.

The President also lauded the AFP for the successful conduct of the 7th iteration of the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity with the defense forces of Canada and the United States.

“This demonstrates that we remain resolute in preserving our sovereignty by ensuring regional peace and international cooperation,” he said.

Marcos also addressed FPTI graduates, expressing hope that they would bring “fresh perspectives” that would strengthen the country’s defense systems and military cooperation.

He stressed the need for this, citing the world’s demands to have foresight and to be innovative, agile, and courageous.

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