EVERY graduating class in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) has its own slogan, and the 2024 class has chosen “Bagong Sinag” to be its catchword. The slogan means “Bagong Henerasyong Gagampanan ang Tama: Serbisyo, Integridad, at Nasyonalismo ang Aming Gabay.”
A total of 278 out of 350 original cadets finished the course and conferred the degree of Bachelor of Science in National Security Management (BSNSM). Of the figure, 224 are male while 54 are female. Seven cadets graduated from Foreign Service Academies.
At the graduation ceremonies last Saturday, President Marcos Jr. reiterated to the military various issues about welfare or personnel morale, and warfare, their main occupation and area of expertise. Such delineation of policies on national security is needed at this time when the Philippines is at the crossroads of serious geopolitical tensions and might be gobbled in a modern conflict among world superpowers.
The Commander-in-Chief reminded the new inductees into the military service to assert Philippine rights over its territory and protect any part of it from being taken by any foreign intruder. This is a clear reference to the tension between the Philippines and China over areas in the South China Sea that are being claimed by both countries, with no party willing to back off.
‘They also have to be shown by example that their leaders, both in the military and the civilian government, are genuinely for the people by being honest and sincere in discharging their duties, responsibilities, and most importantly, power.’
Marcos talked about intruders “who have been disrespecting our territorial integrity. We will vigorously defend what is ours. But our conduct must always be guided by law and our responsibility as a rules-abiding member of the community of nations.”
In so many words, Marcos said we will exhaust all legal and peaceful means to defend our territory, short of going to war with China, as this is against rules-based behavior among nations.
The President said attempts to divert the Filipinos’ attention and dissipate their vigilance should not draw the new military officers away from the threats the nation is facing. The tasks, he said, include keeping Filipinos safe in their homes, Philippine territories secured, defenses against threats strong, and democracy vibrant and stable. He particularly mentioned pushing the efforts to fight certain “groups whose fossilized ideas have been rejected by people tired of war.”
The President told the military they should “be assured this government has a continued assurance in improving the welfare and morale of our uniformed officials and personnel, and of course including your respective families.”
One final thing is the President’s goal of improving the military training at the PMA. He ordered the Department of National Defense and the AFP to review the curriculum and ensure that cadets are equipped with “21st century skills” to counter “conventional and asymmetric threats.” The President emphasized that amid the digital battlefield, a clear vision for truth, integrity, and patriotism are tools necessary to combat attempts at disinformation and infiltration.
In general terms, he wanted the Philippines to be defended “against evolving threats that harm our people and corrode social and political trust.”
“We will be adept, we will be flexible, and we will be ready in repelling such things,” he told the PMA.
Hearing these fighting words, however, is not enough to inspire these new entrants to the AFP to put their lives in the line of fire in fighting the enemies of the state. They also have to be shown by example that their leaders, both in the military and the civilian government, are genuinely for the people by being honest and sincere in discharging their duties, responsibilities, and most importantly, power.
