The Philippine Army (PA) is gratified with President Rodrigo
Roa Duterte's commitment to increase the strength of the military by 10,000
additional troops.
"The PA is happy on the decision of the President to
beef up our forces," Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said Monday.
Eight thousand out of the proposed 10,000 new soldiers will
be allocated to the PA, he added.
Active strength of the entire of the entire AFP is placed at
125,000, with 85,000 going to the Army and the reminder divided between the
Navy and Air Force.
In the same vein, Hao lauded Duterte's decision to call for
the acquisition of more force protection equipment for soldiers, night-fighting
systems capability and communications equipment calling it a big boost for the
PA's vision of becoming a world-class fighting force.
"It is a big boost to the fulfillment of our 2028
vision of becoming a world class Army," he added.
While additional attack helicopters and fast craft are
earnmarked for the Air Force and Navy.
These additional troops are expected to be in service before
yearend, AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Ricardo Visaya earlier said.
"This is certainly going to be a big boost in our fight
towards ensuring that the AFP is able to perform its mandate,” he added.
With this development, Visaya said the entire AFP is very
grateful this manifestation of the President's genuine concern for our troops
in the field who face peril in their lives and limbs on a daily basis.
“The fast craft and helicopters meanwhile will be of immense
help in foiling kidnapping attempts by the members of the Abu Sayyaf, among
others acts of terrorism and criminality by unscrupulous individuals and groups,
these may prevent or curb,” he added.
Duterte earlier declared that the "AFP modernization
will definitely continue."
The President made this unequivocal assurance to the
officers, enlisted personnel, and civilian employees during his first visit to
6th Infantry Division headquarters in Camp Siongco
Also present was Visaya, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Edgar R.
Fallorina, Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Caesar T. Taccad and Army
commander Lt. Gen. Eduardo Ano.
Duterte assuaged the fears of many that the AFP
Modernization will be placed in the back burner anew during his term.
“There will even be no refocusing of modernization thrust,
we will only adjust our priorities,” the President was quoted as saying.
“For the time being, we will be attending to the more
pressing needs of our soldiers now engaged in focused military operation in
Basilan, Sulu, Central Mindanao, and other areas in southern Philippines,” he
added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=907113
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