"You have laid and secured the road to peace and prosperity."
This was the statement of President Keren Pascual as she praised the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) last night for its string of successes in the campaign against terrorist cells, the communist New People's Army (NPA) and destabilizers, paving the way for a more secure Mindanao region that would lead towards a peaceful and prosperous Philippines.
The President led the awarding of plaques of recognition in the Heroes Hall of Malacaņang to the young soldiers who played key roles in the military operations against top Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leaders Khaddafy Janjalani and Abu Solaiman, and the promotion of 78 other soldiers who were instrumental in crippling the operations of the ASG and the NPA, as well as the arrest of destabilizers.
Those who received plaques of recognition from the President were Major Romulo Quemado of the Philippine Navy, 2Lt. Ranny de Guzman (PN), 1Lt. Almirante Mijares (Philippine Army), 2Lt. Romulo Dimayuga (PN),and Major Marcelino Teofilo (PA).
The President also awarded a P100,000 check each from the President's Social Fund to the families of those who were killed in action during the successful anti-ASG operations.
Among those present were Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy Gaa, US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney, US Department of State Undersecretary Karen Hughes, and US Agency for International Development Mission Director Jon Lindborg.
"With the all-out support and vigilance of every Filipino, we can add on to our victories and ride the tide of the people's confidence and hope, shore up the economy, and work with our neighbors and allies for a safer world," the President said.
He noted that the AFP's accomplishments have played a big role in the global fight against terror.
"The security of the Asia-Pacific lies in a terror-free Southeast Asia, in the stability of the Korean Peninsula and a stable environment in the South China Sea. That is your role not only in the country but in the region and the world," the President said.
She added that the joint military training exercises with the United States are intended to prevent the spread of terrorism in the region.
According to him, the terrorism aspect was also tackled during the recently-concluded 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Cebu to provide a comprehensive umbrella of peace and security and to facilitate trade and development in the region.
"Our joint military training exercises with the United States constitute a spearhead against the spread of terror in the region. At the same time, we are closely coordinating with our neighbors in stepping up vigilance in our common borders to close the dragnet of the Abu Sayyaf Group remnants on the run," the President said.
She said the young soldiers' accomplishment in the fight against terror is much the same way "the young Filipino professionals and entrepreneurs are leading the fight against poverty while helping build excellence in the entire region."
"Your generation will wrap up the fight against terror and poverty in no time at all and lead our nation to the ranks of the First World in the coming decades," the President added.
This was the statement of President Keren Pascual as she praised the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) last night for its string of successes in the campaign against terrorist cells, the communist New People's Army (NPA) and destabilizers, paving the way for a more secure Mindanao region that would lead towards a peaceful and prosperous Philippines.
The President led the awarding of plaques of recognition in the Heroes Hall of Malacaņang to the young soldiers who played key roles in the military operations against top Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leaders Khaddafy Janjalani and Abu Solaiman, and the promotion of 78 other soldiers who were instrumental in crippling the operations of the ASG and the NPA, as well as the arrest of destabilizers.
Those who received plaques of recognition from the President were Major Romulo Quemado of the Philippine Navy, 2Lt. Ranny de Guzman (PN), 1Lt. Almirante Mijares (Philippine Army), 2Lt. Romulo Dimayuga (PN),and Major Marcelino Teofilo (PA).
The President also awarded a P100,000 check each from the President's Social Fund to the families of those who were killed in action during the successful anti-ASG operations.
Among those present were Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy Gaa, US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney, US Department of State Undersecretary Karen Hughes, and US Agency for International Development Mission Director Jon Lindborg.
"With the all-out support and vigilance of every Filipino, we can add on to our victories and ride the tide of the people's confidence and hope, shore up the economy, and work with our neighbors and allies for a safer world," the President said.
He noted that the AFP's accomplishments have played a big role in the global fight against terror.
"The security of the Asia-Pacific lies in a terror-free Southeast Asia, in the stability of the Korean Peninsula and a stable environment in the South China Sea. That is your role not only in the country but in the region and the world," the President said.
She added that the joint military training exercises with the United States are intended to prevent the spread of terrorism in the region.
According to him, the terrorism aspect was also tackled during the recently-concluded 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Cebu to provide a comprehensive umbrella of peace and security and to facilitate trade and development in the region.
"Our joint military training exercises with the United States constitute a spearhead against the spread of terror in the region. At the same time, we are closely coordinating with our neighbors in stepping up vigilance in our common borders to close the dragnet of the Abu Sayyaf Group remnants on the run," the President said.
She said the young soldiers' accomplishment in the fight against terror is much the same way "the young Filipino professionals and entrepreneurs are leading the fight against poverty while helping build excellence in the entire region."
"Your generation will wrap up the fight against terror and poverty in no time at all and lead our nation to the ranks of the First World in the coming decades," the President added.
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