The Department of National Defense has called on the Philippine Army’s newest officers to brace for emerging and unconventional security threats amid an ‘increasingly complex defense landscape.”
Defense Undersecretary Irineo Espino issued the call in a speech at the graduation ceremony of this year’s batch of Officer Candidate Course (OCC) held at the Makabulos Grandstand in Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac, last June 6.
A total of 307 newly commissioned officers were welcomed into the ranks of the Philippine Army.
“We live in a volatile and evolving security environment shaped by both traditional and emerging threats. Internal conflicts, external incursions, cyberattacks, disinformation and climate-related disasters—these threats span land, sea, air, space and cyberspace. Amid this reality, your role is clear: You are the future defenders of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept,” Espino told the graduates.
Underscoring a shift in military strategy, Espino stressed that the Army’s new officers are “no longer confined to traditional ground operations.”
“Your training has prepared you with a vision, but the real learning begins now,” Espino said, adding that their service must always be characterized by professionalism, integrity and commitment to the dignity of the people.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido lauded the graduates for completing a renewed officer training program focused on excellence in leadership development.
“While we celebrate this milestone, we also cast our eyes forward, toward the future. The initiatives driving the Army today are a testament to our ongoing commitment to excellence, ensuring we remain a force that adapts, evolves, and leads with purpose in the face of tomorrow’s challenges,” Galido said.
