BBM backs AFP efforts vs cyber security threats

President Marcos has assured the military of his continued support for stepped up efforts to combat cyber security threats.

- ALEXIS ROMERO

The President gave the assurance yesterday to the Armed Forces of the Philippines during his mid-year command conference with AFP officials led by Gen. Romeo Brawner at Camp Aguinaldo.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines received a moral boost from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as he lauded its men and women for their gallantry in fighting the local insurgency and defending the national territory," the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.

"He (Marcos) vowed to continue supporting the AFP especially in its bid to adapt to new tactics against cybersecurity threats, which has become crucial in protecting Filipinos from external and internal threats," the PCO added.

During the Army's 127th founding anniversary celebration in Tarlac last March, Marcos cited the need for the military to boost its cybersecurity capabilities and to adopt new technologies through increased collaboration among the major services and with the country's foreign defense counterparts.

"Our ability to counter cyber threats is also of great importance. Given this emerging threat, I urge the Philippine Army to bolster its cybersecurity capabilities to keep up with the rapid technological advancements and help maintain the country's security and stability," Marcos said in a speech delivered by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr.