Boosting defense, tackling crime under Marcos admin

GMA Network

18 hours ago

Newly delivered Black Hawk helicopters are seen at Clark Air Base, Mabalacat City, Pampanga on Dec. 9, 2024, as part of the Additional Utility Helicopters Acquisition Project Agreement of the AFP Modernization Program. Photo: Philippine Air Force
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. is set to give his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.
Marcos is expected to share the accomplishments of his administrations. But before this, GMA News Online looks back on Marcos' statements on defense and security concerns during his last SONA.
Boosting defense
In his last SONA in July 2024, Marcos said the country's police, military, and coast guard undergo continuous capacity-building and asset-upgrading to ensure peace and order.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) underscored the importance of recent acquisitions in support of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC).
From June 2024 to present, the AFP said it has received one BRP Miguel Malvar-class corvette, two BRAHMOS missile batteries, one ATR-72-600 patrol aircraft, and ten S-70i Black Hawk helicopters.
'These assets strengthen surveillance, coastal defense, mobility, and disaster response—each playing a vital role in safeguarding our sovereignty and securing the archipelago,' the AFP told GMA News Online.
The Philippines Coast Guard (PCG) said the agency also acquired five units of 97-meter Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs), 40 units Fast Patrol Craft (FPC), and 20 Units of Unmanned Aerial System (UAS).
'The initial procurement of two units of 97-meter MRRVs has significantly enhanced the PCG's operational capability, particularly in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), where maritime tensions continue to escalate,' the PCG told GMA News Online
'The FPC will enhance the PCG's capability to conduct anti-drug interdiction, counter-piracy, anti-terrorism, and anti-kidnapping operations, while also supporting search and rescue, disaster response, and humanitarian relief. The drones will be vital in supporting operations like search and rescue, surveillance, anti-smuggling, and monitoring of illegal fishing activities,' it added.
Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.
Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country's claim.
The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."
China has refused to recognize the decision.
High-profile cases
Marcos also said in his last SONA that there was an overall decrease in the crime rate and an improvement in crime solution efficiency, but that law enforcers still need to earn the trust of the general public.
Several suspects in high-profile cases have been arrested since last year's SONA.
Arrest warrants were issued against church leader Apollo Quiboloy and others for alleged violation of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act as well as qualified human trafficking.
He has also been indicted by a federal grand jury in the US District Court for the Central District of California for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.
Quiboloy, who is currently detained at Pasig City Jail after his arrest on September 8 last year, has repeatedly denied the allegations against him.
Former Negros Oriental 3rd District representative Arnie Teves—the alleged mastermind in the killing of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others on March 4, 2023 in Pamplona—was also arrested in Timor-Leste where he sought asylum on May 21 this year.
He is now in the detention cell of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
Teves has denied the accusation.
However, former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag remains at large despite an outstanding warrant for his arrest over the alleged murder of broadcaster Percy Lapid.
The Department of Justice had filed murder charges against Bantag and former deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta with the Las Piñas court in relation to Lapid's killing.
Lapid, whose real name is Percy Mabasa, was shot dead in Las Piñas City on October 3, 2022.
The DOJ previously said a cash reward of P2 million would be given for information on the whereabouts of Bantag while P1 million would have been given for Zulueta.
Bantag has denied the allegations against him, claiming they were all "fabricated."
Meanwhile, a total of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts have been reported missing in different parts of the country from 2021 to 2022. According to the police, the missing personalities were kidnapped allegedly due to match fixing or cheating in the cockfighting games.
One of the accused and whistleblower Julie 'Dondon' Patidongan claimed that the victims were already buried in Taal Lake. Recent searches there have unearthed several human remains already.
Patindongan named businessman Atong Ang as a mastermind in the case and also linked actress Gretchen Barretto to the disappearances. Both have denied the allegations.
SONA 2025 preparations
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday said that they have made the necessary preparations for Marcos' fourth SONA.
On possible protest actions that are a staple of any SONA, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said there are rallyists or groups that have been approved by the Quezon City local government but whose permits are subject to conditions to ensure their activities do not violate any laws and will be orderly.
The NCRPO said 22,987 police personnel have been deployed to conduct security for the annual event. Of the total complement, 16,060 are cops assigned to the NCRPO while support units from Region 4A of Police Regional Office 3 number 3,707 police officers while other agencies have contributed 3,220 personnel. — BM, GMA Integrated News