AFP prepares for defense of territory

From InterAksyon (Mar 11): AFP prepares for defense of territory

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has intensified the development of concepts and strategies to cope with the fast-developing territorial issues and challenges with the objective of having a credible defense posture in the next few years in line with its Transformation Roadmap.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines Transformation Roadmap or AFPTR is a 15-year strategy that aims to transform the AFP into a strong and credible institution built on good governance,” AFP chief of staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said.

Catapang said the organization has been transforming effectively at all levels and slowly but surely is being complemented by capability-building through the AFP Modernization Program.

After his assumption to power, President Benigno Aquino III approved a total amount of P75 billion to modernize the arsenal of the AFP.

According to AFP spokesman Brigadier General Joselito Kakilala, also commander of the AFP Civil Relations Service (CRS), the AFPTR is the foundation of the organization that must be reinforced from time to time with new concepts, strategies and paradigms.

“It serves as the AFP’s strategy in pursuing reform initiatives within the framework of Security Sector Reform (SSR). It is geared toward two strategic priorities: capability development and professionalization of all ranks,” said Kakilala, also former chief of the AFP’s Office of Special Studies and Strategic Management (OSSSM).

He explained that such capability strategy goes through the lowest level of military unit command where new concepts and paradigms emanate.

“The AFP has been transitioning to territorial defense and the AFPTR is a potent force to guide us to this objective. Without this overall roadmap, we cannot reach our goal to become a world class Armed Forces in the near future,” Kakilala said.

Awards

On Monday, newly appointed OSSSM chief Colonel Paterno Morales has presented to Catapang some deserving offices and units that were conferred with AFPTR Plaques of Recognition for initiating concrete steps towards genuine transformation and reform in line with the AFP Transformation Roadmap.

“The set of awardees compose the second wave of military offices and units which will receive recognition for their exemplary efforts of crafting their governance strategy maps and performance scorecards. The Unified Commands and the Major Services (Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Air Force) were given the same recognition during the first ever AFP Governance Exposition held in December 2014,” Morales said.

The awardees include the AFP Human Rights Office (AFP HRO), Office of the Chief Nurse (OTCN), Office of the Surgeon General (OTSG), AFP Peace Process Office (AFP PPO), AFP Reserve Command, Communications, Electronics and Information System AFP (CEISAFP), AFP Procurement Service, GHQ Accounting Center, AFP Medical Center, Office of the Secretary Joint Staff, Civil Relations Service (CRS), AFP Commissary and Exchange Services (AFP CES), and General Headquarters Service Command.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/106689/afp-prepares-for-defense-of-territory