President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the need for strong and inspiring leadership within the military to address the Philippines’ evolving security challenges during the oath-taking ceremony for newly promoted Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) generals and flag officers on Tuesday, November 10.
Administering the oath of office to AFP Chief of Staff General Antonio Nafarrete alongside 33 other newly promoted generals and flag officers, Marcos stressed that modern equipment must be matched by ethical and accountable leadership.
”Our country is navigating an increasingly complex security environment and we need leaders who can inspire confidence at every level of command,” Marcos said.
”As senior officers, you now have that privilege and responsibility of preparing the next generation of leaders. Our soldiers, our sailors, airmen, and Marines deserve leaders who are competent, fair, and mindful of the sacrifices that the service asks of them and of their families,” Marcos added.
The President urged the senior officers to mentor subordinates by sharing their experiences and building an institution capable of enduring beyond individual tenures.
While reaffirming the administration’s ongoing commitment to military modernization, he noted that retaining public trust remains paramount.
”A modern military requires leaders who serve with competence, integrity, and accountability. No matter how advanced our capabilities may become, we must never lose sight of the trust and confidence of the Filipino people,” he stressed.
”Sustaining that trust is a responsibility that all of us share—government, our institutions, and our communities,” he added.