AFP says Japan, France will be 'more active' in 2026 maritime exercises

MANILA, January 5 ------ The Armed Forces of the Philippines is gearing up for this year’s anticipated activities in the pipeline as it ends a “very fruitful” 2025.

AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said they will continue their prioritization in multifaceted modernization as they confront modern challenges. “Tinututukan natin pa rin ‘yung modernization natin. So with that, we have a focus on maritime, aerial assets and cybersecurity and of course, disaster resilience in general,” Padilla said in an interview with state-run media PTV Friday, January 2.

Internal security operations will also be continued amid downward trend on local insurgency. “Over and above that po ‘no, patuloy pa rin na tutugisin natin ito na lang natitira. Hindi nga po tayo nag-declare ng any ceasefire, despite the holiday season. Tuluy-tuloy pa rin po ang operations ng inyong Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas para po tuluyan na pong matapos na natin itong internal security operations natin, and talagang mag shift na po tayo to territorial defense,” she added.

In terms of maritime exercises, Padilla said more countries such as Japan and France will be "actively participating" this year. “With the signing po of 2025 Reciprocal Access Agreement, we can now see that for this year, there will also be more active participation from Japan. Nandiyan din po ang France na magbibigay din po ng kanilang sariling fair share of how would they be joining the exercises. And Canada is also joining us actively din po,” the AFP spokesperson said. “This year would be an exciting year in terms of different activities lined up for the Armed Forces of the Philippines po,” she stated.

Padilla added that they will look for ways in enhancing capabilities in communication systems, command and control in a bid to address "non-kinetic" challenges. This includes tapping the potential of youth in technological know-how. “So tinitingnan natin how we could also leverage on our youth. How could they contribute. Ngayon po ang mga kabataan po natin are very much techie. They have something to offer po in terms of our use of artificial intelligence na rin,” she said. “Marami po tayong mga kinonduct na mga activities to also have our kababayans be part of this malaking usapin sa territorial defense,” she further noted.

The AFP official also vowed to continue several programs concerning the morale and welfare of Filipino troops such as benefits and privileges and mental health. “Lalong lalo na po with the geopolitical tensions that we’re facing, ito pong mga kasundaluhan natin na naka-deploy po diyan sa West Philippine Sea sa ating 9 features -- 2 islands and 7 features to be exact, hindi po titigil ang inyong sandatahang lakas ng Pilipinas to look out for the welfare of our men in the area,” Padilla said. “Thus, we will continue to perform our rotation and resupply missions come what may,” she stated.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com