PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Tuesday said he expects the Philippine Army to strengthen its capabilities for external defense and disaster response, as newly appointed officials take command of the country’s largest military service and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). “You take command as the Army continues the transition towards external defense,” Mr. Marcos said in a livestreamed 68th Philippine Army Change of Command Ceremony in Fort Andres Bonifacio, Taguig City. Also on Tuesday, Mr. Marcos swore in Edwin M. Mercado as the new Department of Health (DoH) secretary and Beverly Lorraine C. Ho as the new Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president and chief executive officer (CEO) in separate ceremonies at Malacañang. Mr. Mercado, who previously served as PhilHealth president and CEO, replaced Jose Brittanio “Brix” S. Pujalte, Jr., who resigned due to health problems, while Ms. Ho succeeded Mr. Mercado at the state health insurer. Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said the President is confident in Mr. Mercado and sees no need to issue a new marching order, as the new Health chief is already familiar with the administration’s health priorities.