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President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. graces the Commencement Exercises of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Bagong Sinag" class of 2024. at the Fort Del Pilar in Baguio City, Province of Benguet on  May 18, 2024. KJ Rosales, PPA pool

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Philippine Military Academy Commencement Exercises

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171601597621720240518-bbm-pma-arrival-PPA-2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. graces the Commencement Exercises of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) " Bagong="" of="" at="" the="" Fort="" Del="" Pilar="" in="" Baguio="" Province="" Benguet="" on="" May="" KJ="" PPA=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. graces the Commencement Exercises of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) &quot;Bagong Sinag&quot; class of 2024. at the Fort Del Pilar in Baguio City, Province of Benguet on  May 18, 2024. <em>KJ Rosales, PPA pool</em></span></span></span></div><p>BAGUIO CITY — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Saturday reminded the latest graduates of the Philippine Military Academy to always respect civilian authority and to defend national sovereignty and territory during the academy&#x27;s graduation in Baguio City.</p><p>&quot;You will respect civilian authority. You will protect the life and liberty of our people.  You will defend the sovereignty of the state. And you will ensure the integrity of the national territory,&quot; Marcos said as he addressed the Bagong Sinag Class of 2024.</p><p>The graduation occurs as the administration faces China&#x27;s warning that it will arrest intruders in the South China Sea as well as rumors of a destabilization plot.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/18/carlos-out-as-wescom-chief-torres-assumes-post-1120">RELATED: Carlos out as Wescom chief; Torres assumes post</a></div><p>&quot;This a time of birth pains—sadly, of opportunism, blatant attempts of destabilization, and last-ditch to cling to the rapidly disappearing past. But we must be resolute. We must hold on. We cannot turn back. &quot; Marcos, Jr said.</p><p>&quot;What we are facing now are a blatant disregard of internationally-accepted principles and deployment of weapons of mass distraction by parties who seek to drive a wedge between a united citizenry.&quot;</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Uq7Zr8qOBQA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><div><strong>&#x27;SOLDIERING MUST IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE&#x27;</strong></div><p>The President also urged the graduates to stick to their mission keep people safe in their homes, secure the territory, defend against threats and keep democracy stable.</p><p>&quot;You are now inductees in the national effort to attain the following: Against parties whose fossilized ideas have been rejected by a people tired of war, no quarter will be given, but we offer peace, of the principled kind that will uproot the causes of social discontent,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;Against intruders who have been disrespecting our territorial integrity, we will vigorously defend what is ours, but our conduct always guided by law and [by] our responsibility as a rules-abiding member of the community of nations. Against evolving threats that harm our people and corrode social and political trust, we will be adept, we will be flexible, and we will be ready in repelling such things.&quot;</p><p>The Commander in Chief reminded the graduates of the legacy of the PMA, which they must now honor in the service of the Filipino.</p><p>&quot;You come from a great tradition of excellence. This academy has not only trained you to be proficient in warfare, but to be the champions of the welfare of our people. Because soldiering now is no longer limited to defending territories, but to improve the lives of the people who live there.&quot; Marcos, Jr said.</p><p>The President recognized their sacrifices, and gave assurances that these will not be in vain.</p><p>It was an assurance he would extend to the whole AFP: </p><p>&quot;[B]e assured that this government has a continued assurance in improving the welfare and morale of our uniformed officials and personnel, and, of course, to include your respective families.&quot;</p><p>The chief executive also extended his personal congratulations to the class topnotcher.</p><p>&quot;Let us all congratulate this year’s valedictorian, Cadet 1st Class Jeneth Elumba, a proud daughter of Surigao City. I share with your parents the immense pride and joy that I know they are feeling right now.&quot; Marcos, Jr said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/18/pma-2024-topnotcher-overcomes-medical-challenge-to-finish-top-of-her-class-1339">READ: PMA 2024 topnotcher overcomes medical challenge to finish top of her class</a></div><div><strong>WOMEN GRADUATES HAILED</strong></div><p>Congratulating the rest of Bagong Sinag Class of 2024, Marcos, Jr also particularly honored the women in the batch.</p><p>&quot;Today, I extend my congratulations to the 278-strong graduating cadets of the Philippine Military Academy’s &#x27;Bagong Sinag&#x27; Class of 2024. We are proud to see you parade as cadets for the last time.&quot; Marcos, Jr said. &quot;I am pleased that this batch has produced female cadets who have shown outstanding performance — many of whom proudly swarmed the elusive list of top ten performers and special awardees.&quot;</p><p>Meantime the President order the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of National Defense to  review the PMA curriculum to ensure that cadets will be equipped with the 21st century skills necessary to counter conventional and asymmetric threats. </p><p>&quot;In the digital battlefield, a clear vision for truth, integrity, and patriotism, are necessary tools to combat attempts at disinformation and infiltration.&quot; Marcos. Jr said.</p>

<p>President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr reminded the latest graduates of the Philippine Military Academy to always respect civlian authority and defend the national sovereignty and territory during the academy's graduation in Baguio City.</p>

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr reminded the latest graduates of the Philippine Military Academy to always respect civlian authority and defend the national sovereignty and territory during the academy's graduation in Baguio City.

Marcos urges PMA grads to respect civilian authority, defend sovereignty and territory

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Marcos urges PMA grads to respect civilian authority, defend sovereignty and territory

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 18, 2024 03:02 PM PHT

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Updated May 18, 2024 03:07 PM PHT

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