To address challenges to the country’s territorial integrity, newly-appointed Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said he fully supports the ongoing Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program.

This is among the new DND chief’s thrusts he bared during Thursday’s AFP command conference in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City,

“Address the growing and significant challenges to the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty by guaranteeing full support to the modernization program, strengthening coordinative mechanisms with interagency partners, and leveraging and maximizing with the country’s defense partnerships,” he said.

The Horizon 3 of the AFP Modernization Program is scheduled from 2023 to 2028.

The military is supposed to acquire external defense equipment in this phase such as missile systems and multi-role fighters, among others.

Galvez also wants existing defense initiatives and efforts towards attaining the vision of a transformed defense organization that guarantees Philippine security, territorial integrity, and sovereignty.

This is aside from transforming the DND into a reliable partner in national development and a strategic partner in the region.

Galvez is also pushing for the total defeat of the communist insurgency through the dismantling of all guerrilla fronts and clearing of affected barangays, neutralizing threat groups, and supporting national and local efforts for peace.

“This also involved our preparation for the post-conflict and final political settlement of all insurgent groups,” the DND chief said.

Galvez also thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for the trust and confidence placed upon him on his appointment as DND chief.

“And I commit myself to be loyal to the mandate of the AFP and the DND in securing the state and protecting our people and also protecting this administration. We would like to announce that the AFP and the DND are together to ensure the success of the Marcos administration,” he added. (PNA)