PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. visited the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) headquarters on Dec. 4, signaling the near-end of the long-running communist insurgency in the region and announcing a strategic pivot to external defense.
The commander-in-chief’s visit to Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Panacan, began with military honors led by EastMinCom commander Major General Adonis Ariel G. Orio, and was attended by division and brigade commanders.
During the executive and operational briefing, President Marcos commended EastMinCom for its significant achievements in internal security operations, noting the effective reduction of rebel forces.
“The number of CTGs [communist terrorist groups] and their organizations has been significantly lessened, and the downward trend is very noticeable. What you have been doing has been very effective,” the President stated.
He then announced a major security projection: “Our general orders projection is to announce that the entire area of responsibility is CTG-free, hopefully by early next year. We will look forward to that.”
Strategic shift and pay hike
Following the briefing, the President addressed the troops in a “Talk to Troops” engagement, underscoring a crucial transition in national defense priorities. He commended the shift from successfully addressing internal security operations to strengthening the nation’s external defense posture.
President Marcos emphasized that the country now requires its armed forces to prioritize the emerging external security challenges.
To support this shift and bolster morale, the President announced that the base pay of all military and uniformed personnel (MUP) will be increased early next year.
The EastMinCom visit was part of the President’s itinerary in Davao City, which also included the inauguration of the Bucana Bridge—a 1,340-meter structure and key component of the Davao City Coastal Bypass Road.
