Secretary Angelo Reyes, distinguished
Officers and men of the AFP

 Thank you for honoring me on this occasion – although it is really you who should be honored.

 A soldier’s stand is the essence of duty.  He symbolizes courage, and carries the devotion to fight – and die if need be for the nation that is our home.  From a soldier’s profession springs the natural tendencies to build not only a sound mind in a sound body – but also the guts and character to make a Man!

 Many years ago, I had a brother who fought in the fields of Bataan when the Japanese invader came.  I was so proud of him.  After we were occupied, I had another brother who joined the guerrilla movement, and when the dreaded kempetai caught him they dragged him to Fort Santiago where they beat and tortured him almost everyday of his confinement.  Once when I visited him I caught a glimpse of a shell of his former robust self.  I said to myself: he is suffering for a worthy cause.  And I thought to myself long afterwards: perhaps the Filipino who suffers for a worthy cause is what will make this nation move forward and overcome despite adversities.

 We have had relations with the United States for over a hundred years.  We fought each other in 1898 to 1901.  We fought together against a common foe from 1941 to 1945.  Today we undergo Balikatan Exercises in peace to prepare for any defensive contingency.
 
 Despite the ups and downs, despite differences now and then – Philippine and U.S. relationship has withstood the test of time.  And Balikatan Exercises are intended to benefit both nations, and to promote our national interest.

 And so instead of honoring me – it is I who pays homage to the Filipino soldier.  Brave.  Loyal.  Humble.  Ready in peace, ready in war.

 And the soldier in peace must train for any and all contingencies.  Thus the Balikatan exercises to make you better prepared, better fighters, better men and women in the discharge of your sworn duties.

 To make your exercises more meaningful, however, I have requested Her Excellency the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces to convoke the Executive Committee on National Security in order to recommend to her policies on Balikatan that could improve you training.

 For example, we are a maritime nation.  It is estimated that poachers from other nations enter our seas and ravage our marine resources, our clams, our corals, our seashells, our other marine species, many of which are diminishing and dying.  It is estimated that the damage to marine life caused by poachers run to over fifty billion dollars a year.  Perhaps we can shape policy to respond to this unseen peril and plunder of our resources.  We must train.  We must deploy.  We must prevent poachers from ravaging our coastlines.

 God meant those resources for the Filipino and we need to preserve and protect them for the benefit of the Filipino.

 Thus let me salute the Filipino soldier.  Have a meaningful training, for learning is the way of life.  No soldier no matter how brilliant can say that he need not train or learn from well thought out exercises.  Train in peace.  Fight when the challenge arises.  Fight for peace and order.  Fight to uphold the nation’s honor.  Fight for the Filipino!

 Mabuhay ang sundalong Filipino!