As he formally bids the 85,000-strong Philippine Army (PA)
goodbye, outgoing Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire
Gazmin on Friday said he is leaving a more capable and effective PA.
"I assumed as Defense Secretary in July 2010 and involved
myself in the task of contributing my modest share in the accomplishment of the
DND mission," he said in his speech to PA officers and personnel gathered
at ROTC Hunters Guerilla Field/HPA Parade Ground, Fort
Bonifacio , Taguig City
During his stint and with the strong support of President
Benigno S. Aquino III, Gazmin said significant progress has been made in the
implementation of the AFP Capability Upgrade and Modernization Program where
Php60.14 billion has been released from July 10, 2010 to April this year, for
all three Major Services, which include the Army, Navy and Air Force.
"Thus, the Philippine Army has now in its inventory
newly-acquired 114 units of M-113A2 armored personnel carriers from the US EDA
(Excess Defense Articles Program), six units of armored personnel carriers and
four units of armored recovery vehicles, all from Israel; 120 units of field
ambulances; various types of mobility trucks, such as 1 and 1/4 ton trucks
troop carriers, 2 1/2 ton trucks troop carriers, and five ton trucks prime
movers; 63,286 units of M-4 assault rifles, that include the requirement of the
Philippine Marine Corps; and various types of tactical radio equipment,"
he pointed out.
This is aside from projects that are now either in the
contract implementation stage or procurement stage, Gazmin pointed out.
"I am likewise glad to note that the Philippine Army
today is headed to state of professional modernity with its activation in 2011
of the Philippine Army Multi-Sector Advisory Board, or the PA MSAB. Accordingly,
the PA MSAB has consistently guided the Philippine Army to evolve
professionally and attain excellence in the years to come through the
implementation of the Army Transformation Roadmap," the DND chief said.
Gazmin, a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class
of 1968, was the 40th Commanding General of the Philippine Army. He held the
position from July 13, 1999 to Oct. 22, 2000.
"I depart from our Defense Department on June 30, 2016
contented and pleased that I am leaving behind my endeared institution, the
Philippine Army, the immortal monument of courage and patriotism in the defense
of our citizenry and their treasured social and democratic ideals," he
added.
A brigade-size parading troops from the different post units
and offices of the PA gave Gazmin a testimonial review shortly after his speech.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=898294
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