Marcos to FPCTI grads: ‘Bring fresh perspective to our military’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has tasked graduates of the Foreign Pre-Commissioning Training Institution (FPCTI) with bringing a fresh perspective to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

According to Marcos, their training will provide valuable insights to strengthen the country’s defense systems and enhance military cooperation across borders.

Nine individuals have successfully completed the FPCTI program.

“The training, discipline, and strategies you acquired abroad will certainly boost our forces’ capabilities, especially amidst the increasingly uncertain geopolitical landscape,” Marcos said during a ceremony at Malacañang Palace on Thursday.

He noted that the world today demands more than in the past, as nations face complex issues that transcend traditional political and diplomatic practices.

“We are now expected to be innovative, agile, and forward-thinking. But one demand has never changed, and that is courage — the courage to respond, the courage to adapt,” Marcos said.

As an example, he cited the successful 7th iteration of the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity on February 12, where Filipino troops joined the Defense Forces of Canada and the United States in operations aimed at enhancing cooperation and interoperability between the three countries' militaries.

The operations were conducted within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Marcos emphasized that the military exercise demonstrated the country's firm commitment to preserving its sovereignty while ensuring regional peace and international cooperation.

The Commander-in-Chief expressed hope that the new FPCTI graduates would be inspired by the leadership and achievements of their senior officers as they continue to grow within the AFP.