Territorial threats harming Filipinos unacceptable - BBM

Threats to the country's sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea that endanger the lives of Filipinos are "unacceptable," President Marcos said yesterday, as he ordered a review of the capabilities of the country's military hardware and equipment.

- HELEN FLORES

In his speech during the commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan in Pilar, Bataan, Marcos said 82 years after the Fall of Bataan, the nation is confronted with new challenges "in varying forms and degrees, but with the same existential impact."

"Some portend clear and present threats to our sovereign rights, and in fact have already caused physical harm to our people," the President said.

"These (actions) are unacceptable, uncalled for and unjust," Marcos said in Filipino.

Marcos was apparently referring to China's aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea that recently injured some Navy personnel and deprived Filipino fishermen of livelihood.

He assured Filipino soldiers of the government's unwavering support as they continue the duty of safeguarding the nation's security and sovereignty in the face of "new and growing challenges." "And in recognition of their bravery and sacrifices, I am directing the defense, budget and finance departments to study the existing separation benefits of soldiers who incurred total permanent disability in the line of duty to see if these are commensurate to the sacrifices they have made," he said.

"We are doubling our efforts to enhance their operational capability.

We must therefore also ensure their safety by procuring the right equipment. I therefore task the DND and AFP to assess and submit a report on the responsiveness of the current inventory of military supplies and equipment," the commander-in-chief said.

As of March, there were 60,180 surviving Filipino veterans, categorized as either WWII veterans or post-WWII veterans.

Last year, a total of P10.198 billion was disbursed to 145,050 pensioners.

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