KINILALA ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang kakayanan ng Philippine Navy (PN) sa ginawa nitong pagpapalakas ng kanilang war capability.

Ginawa ng Pangulo ang pahayag matapos na saksihan ang demonstrasyon ng surface-to-air missile system ng PN habang lulan ng BRP Davao del Sur (LD 602) sa San Antonio, Zambales.

“I am very happy to be able to join the brave men and women of our Philippine Navy on this important day as we conduct our test fire, our country’s first surface-to-air missile system, the Mistral 3, and the other weapon systems that we have seen demonstrated here this morning,” ani Pangulong Marcos.

“With the fluid security situation in our region, it is imperative that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and of course the Navy is substantially equipped, trained, and always on alert to respond to any and all exigencies that may confront our nation. It is for this prime reason that we exert a continuous effort to strengthen the capacity of our Armed Forces,” sabi ng Pangulo.

Ayon sa Pangulo magpapatuloy ang mga katulad na naval exercises at ang pagbili ng kagamitan ng PN upang mas lumakas ang kakayanan nito.

“We are now working on horizon three of the AFP modernization program. As we do so, let us likewise ensure parallel training and capacity building for our personnel, especially for those who would actually operate and maneuver these major naval assets and with the backing of their highly technical training,” dagdag pa ng Pangulo.

“I urge the entire rank of the Philippine Navy to keep up the good work continually guided by the national interest and the democratic ideals of the Republic of the Philippines,” sabi pa nito.

Kasama ng Pangulo sa panonood ang demostrasyon sina Senior Defense Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr., House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Armed Forces chief Gen. Andres Centino, at PN Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci.