President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday reiterated his administration’s commitment to making the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) more globally competitive by modernizing its assets and boosting soldier training.

Marcos renewed his pledge during the joint graduation ceremony of the Major Services Officer Candidate Course (MSOCC) held at AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

“To all the members of the AFP, be assured that this administration remains committed to transforming our AFP into a world-class force that is a source of national pride and national security,” Marcos said in his speech.

The President congratulated the candidate officers on their graduation.

“Your graduation day today signifies the culmination of your determination, sacrifice, and hard work to overcome the challenges of becoming an officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he said, touting the new graduates’ future contributions to the nation’s defense.

Marcos emphasized the AFP’s transformation begins with investing in every soldier’s talents, in specialists and leaders “who will bridge the gap between tradition and innovation.”

“We will modernize your equipment, enhance your training programs, and ensure that you are equipped to face challenges not just of today but also of the future,” he said.

P2 trillion for Re-Horizon 3

Philippine Navy Inspector General, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, earlier said the AFP is mulling the acquisition of two more corvette warships and six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs).

Trinidad also noted the government has allocated $35 billion, or more than P2 trillion, for Re-Horizon 3, the third phase of the AFP Modernization Program.

In July, Marcos approved the AFP’s acquisition of multi-role fighter aircraft for the Philippine Air Force to improve the country’s aerial defense capabilities. The MRF is a combat aircraft used to attack enemy airplanes.

On Thursday, Air Force spokesperson Col. Consuelo Castillo said five more S-70i Black Hawk helicopters arrived in the country this year.

Castillo said the new air assets are some of the Black Hawks acquired under Horizon 2.

“So far, out of the 32 we already received, 10 and these five are undergoing technical inspection and acceptance activities,” she added.

A beacon of strength

With this, Marcos said the government is determined to “build an AFP that will stand as a beacon of strength, of alliance, resilience and technological excellence.”

The MSOCC is a one-year program for baccalaureate degree holders to be commissioned as officers in the Philippine Army and the Philippine Air Force as second lieutenants. Graduates will also be commissioned in the Philippine Navy as ensigns.

The program includes basic military training, officer training, war-fighting, and fields of specialization aligned with the respective service branches. It is part of the AFP Transformation Roadmap, which calls for fostering a joint force culture.

The initiative for a Joint OCC began in 2013 as a foundation for developing synergy among the major service branches of the AFP.