Aquino vows gov't support for AFP to strengthen its capabilities

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 21): Aquino vows gov't support for AFP to strengthen its capabilities

President Benigno S. Aquino III vowed Friday the administration's unwavering support for the Armed Forces to strengthen its capabilities in performing its mandate of upholding the country's sovereignty. In his speech during the 77th AFP Anniversary at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, the Chief Executive emphasized the importance of modernizing the AFP to enhance its capabilities in defending the country and the Filipino people. Aquino graced the AFP anniversary rites which had for its theme “Bayanihan at Kahandaan: Tuwid na Daan Tungo sa Kapayapaan," as guest of honor and speaker.

The President said: "Dahil sa inyong mga sakripisyo, makakaasa pa rin kayo sa patuloy na suporta ng pamahalaan at sambayanan.... "Mantakin po ninyo ---mahigit dalawampu’t walong bilyong piso ang agad nating inilaan para sa AFP Modernization Program sa loob lamang ng isang taon at pitong buwan. "Mula sa pagiging kawawang cowboy, itinulak natin ang AFP bilang mas moderno’t mas maaasahang tanggulan."

The President said the government will continue to effect reforms in the AFP to ensure that its funds will be used only in serving the needs of the people, including the soldiers and civilian employees of the armed forces services. The administration has provided much-deserved benefits for the AFP military and civilian personnel. "Nariyan din ang 21,800 na bahay na itinayo para sa mga pulis at kasundaluhan, at ang karagdagang 31,200 na kabahayan pa na inaasahan nating makumpleto sa Agosto 2013, hindi lang para sa mga pulis at sundalo, kundi pati na sa mga bumbero at kawani ng BJMP," he said.

Aquino said the Framework Agreement signed by the Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front last Oct 15 is a vital step to attain genuine peace. "Matapos ang makasaysayang kasunduang pangkapayapaan sa Moro Islamic Liberation Front at sa pagtataguyod ng Bangsamoro, inaasahan po nating matutuldukan na rin ang deka-dekadang alitan sa katimugang bahagi ng bansa at magsisimula nang mapitas ng ating mga kapatid na Muslim at Lumad ang pangako ng kanilang lupang tinubuan," he said.

He called on the AFP to step up its efforts in implementing the Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan (IPSP) program. "Batid nating may masasamang elemento pa ring patuloy na pinagbabantaan ang kaligtasan at payapang pamumuhay ng ilang pamayanan sa bansa.....At hindi po tayo makukuntento hangga’t may mga pamilya pa ring naiipit sa mga walang katuturang bakbakan. Kumpiyansa at inaasahan po nating sa pag-iral ng IPSP Bayanihan, napipinto na ang paglaganap ng malawakang kapayapaan sa mga lugar na dati’y pugad ng armadong hidwaan," he stressed.
The Chief Executive expressed high hopes that the AFP will continue to focus on their duties and responsibilities to maintain peace and order in the country.

He also thanked the AFP personnel for their full support in the government’s programs aimed at uplifting and protecting the lives of the people as he cited the AFP’s important role in the government's humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in times of calamities. "Unti-unti na rin pong bumabangon ang ilang bahagi ng Visayas at Mindanao na sinalanta ng bagyong Pablo. Habang tumatanaw tayo ng malaking utang ng loob sa bawat kawal na nakibalikat sa panahon ng sakuna, huwag sana nating limitahin ang kaya pa nating magawa," the President said. "Huwag sana tayong makuntento sa kung ano ang kaya nating iambag pagkatapos lamang ng sakuna; sa halip, tumutok tayo sa kung ano ang kaya nating gawin bago pa man ito sumalanta. Ibig sabihin, bago pa man madapa ang ating mga kababayan, dapat ay nakahanda na tayong pigilan ang kanilang pagbagsak at isinagad natin ang lahat ng ating makakaya para maiwasan ito.," he added.

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