CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY: The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) now shift its focus its defense on securing the country’s territory and sovereignty, AFP Chief Gen. Romeo S. Brawner said.
Brawner made the statement Thursday, June 19, 2025 while visiting an army camp in Placer, Surigao del Norte, where he conferred medals to 12 military personnel composed of two officers and 10 enlisted men for gallantry in action.
Elements of the army’s 901st Infantry Brigade engaged in a series of encounters with the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in Surigao del Norte resulting with the killing of five NPAs, including one of Caraga’s most wanted NPA leader.
Brawner said that as the AFP remains victorious in the fight against the NPAs, it now concentrate on strengthening territorial integrity and responding effectively to external security challenges.
“Our focused military operations, supported by good governance and the cooperation of our people, have significantly weakened the NPA,” Brawner said.
He said that as the internal challenges come to end, the AFP is now gradually shifting focus to territorial defense.
“We want to ensure the Filipino people that the AFP is prepared to protect our nation’s sovereignty amid growing external challenges,” Brawner said.
