Newly-appointed AFP chief committed to building credible defense posture

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 17): Newly-appointed AFP chief committed to building credible defense posture

Despite acknowledging the role of diplomacy in resolving brewing territorial issues, newly-appointed Armed Forces chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista Thursday said he is committed to building a credible defense posture for the country. "As we support the peaceful and diplomatic resolution of territorial issues, we shall endeavor to provide a credible defense posture worthy of the heroism of our forefathers. We need to upgrade our joint and combined operations capabilities to be able to contain any external threats," he said during his assumption speech at the AFP headquarters in Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

With this development, Bautista said the military will continue in its mission of ensuring regional and international peace and stability. He added the military will aim to do this through the so-called "Global Bayanihan" or strengthened and increased bilateral and multilateral engagements with neighbors and allies.

"We will endeavor to send more United Nations peacekeeping forces and develop capabilities to assist other nations in responding to natural calamities, just as our friends and allies have come to our aid in times of disaster," the newly-appointed AFP chief stressed.

And with the growing challenge of climate change to development and progress, Bautista also vowed to utilize more military resources in alleviating this growing threat. "Indeed, in recent years, the effects of climate change have been more adverse than armed conflict. This is an emerging concern that we need to pay serious attention to," Bautista stated. With this mission set, the new AFP chief pledged to continue to upgrade the military's disaster rescue and relief operations capabilities and take part in proactive measures such as environmental protection to mitigate adverse effects of disasters.

"Of course, we must ensure that the AFP, as an organization, is capable of performing its mandated tasks. Thus, I will carry on and sustain security sector reform initiatives that we have already started, focusing on two major agenda: capability development and professionalization," he pointed out. Bautista also pledged to give priority to developing a professional, strong and fully-mission capable joint force. "We will develop our mission-essential capabilities in internal security, territorial defense, and disaster rescue and relief operations, as well as build-up a robust and reliable reserve force," the AFP head pointed out.

With his appointment now a done deal, Bautista also took this opportunity to extend his heartfelt gratitude to all who have walked with me in this path to our nation’s peace and security. "Those who have journeyed with me in my 33 years in the service, my mentors and companions in my intellectual pursuits while at the University of the Philippines, the Philippine Military Academy and Marist School, my superiors, friends and colleagues in the armed forces including and most specially to those who have gone before us in service to our nation.

I dedicate my service as chief-of-staff, AFP to all of you," Bautista emphasized. But most of all, the AFP chief said he is dedicating this this final chapter in his military service to his father, the late Brig. Gen. Teodulfo Bautista. "The bedrock from where I stand here before you today - he was and will always be my inspiration and role model as a soldier for peace," he added.

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