AFP to prevail over challenges this 2014 - Bautista

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 2): AFP to prevail over challenges this 2014 - Bautista

With 2014 just two days old, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief-of-staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista on Thursday expressed confidence that the AFP will prevail over challenges that will crop up during the year.

"The year 2014 will bring new promises, transformation, and more challenges. But no matter what challenge we confront, I remain confident that we can prevail. We just need to stay together, work together, and remain cohesive as "ONE AFP". For in the face of any challenge, the cohesiveness of the entire AFP will always be our best assurance," he emphasized.

Bautista also took this opportunity to extend his greetings and best wishes to the men and women of the AFP.

"The year 2013 has been another time of distinguished service to our nation in fulfillment of our mandate as protector of the people and the State. We achieved great successes in winning just and lasting peace through the Internal Peace and Security Plan 'Bayanihan', and in our transformation efforts through the AFP Transformation Roadmap. Likewise, we were also confronted with great challenges that tested our strength and resolve.But through our collective effort, we were able to meet these challenges; and our nation emerged more peaceful, and more secure," he pointed out.

Bautista also reminded officers and enlisted personnel of the AFP to remain faithful to their organization.

"May we continue to take pride in the uniform that we wear, and in the patriotic duty that we perform as protectors of the people and the State. Guided by our core values of honor, service, and patriotism; and through the spirit of 'Bayanihan', may we further inspire our countrymen to help us in the fulfillment of our dream of giving the next generations a more peaceful and prosperous Philippines," the AFP chief stressed.

"And in fulfillment of our constitutional mandate, let us strengthen our resolve to put all armed struggles to a responsible end so that we may finally focus on more pressing national security issues such as territorial defense and climate change. All these in the attainment of just and lasting peace for our nation, and towards becoming a world-class armed forces that is a source of national pride," Bautista pointed out.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=601369