AFP launches Development Support and Security Plan 'Kapayapaan'

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 6): AFP launches Development Support and Security Plan 'Kapayapaan'

As Internal Peace and Security Plan "Bayanihan" expired last Dec. 31, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) launched Friday Development Support and Security Plan "Kapayapaan".

The launching took place during the Department of National Defense (DND)'s 1st Quarter 2017 Command Conference held at Tejeros Hall of the AFP Commissioned Officers Club in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

"Bayanihan" was first implemented in Dec. 22, 2010. It aims to “provide the strategic guidance in the performance of (the AFP’s) mandated functions of protecting the state and the people."

Col. Edgard A. Arevalo, AFP public affairs office chief, said top military field commanders, major service commanders, wide support and separate unit commanders, and key staff of the military were in attendance.

The event was presided by DND Secretary Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

“The military top brass and panel chairperson of government implementing panel for Bangsamoro, and peace accords were invited to attend the caucus,” Arevalo said.

“It was in that venue that the new AFP campaign plan officially named Development Support and Security Plan Kapayapaan — the one that replaces IPSP Bayanihan that expired on Dec. 31, 2016 — was presented to the conferees. The document will serve as the ’blueprint’ as to how the AFP shall conduct its campaigns," he added.

Arevalo said the highlight of the conference was the issuance of AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año's command guidance which called for the destruction of all terrorist and lawless groups in the country.

"He was clear, concise, and direct in his pronouncement that the top priority of the AFP under his leadership shall be the destruction of the terrorist groups of the Abu Sayyaf Group , Maute Group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and other foreign and local terrorist groups,” he added.

To achieve this, stakeholder engagement aside from focused military operations are needed.

"Apart from the conduct of focused combat operations employing the wherewithals of the AFP, I desire that we enhance stakeholder engagement to ensure robust participation of the religious sector and local government," Arevalo quoted the AFP chief as saying.

“From our end, I want everyone here to exercise the highest degree of Commandership. After all, the most important element of combat power is Leadership. Do and give your best and together we will create a winning team and get the job done," he added.

“We will give priority to frontline units in the assignment of the best Officers, Enlisted Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and Marines — our most important resource. And as such, we must take care of them. While we endeavour to give them the fighting edge, it is as essential that we increase their survivability rate,” Año stressed.

“We will, as we must, look at the welfare of our men —and loved ones—especially those who were combat casualties. Expedite the processing of the benefits due them; streamline the process and rationalize the requirements for promotion, schooling, and awards as well was disposition of cases," the AFP chief added.

And during his watch, Año said the AFP will be fully committed to the primacy of the peace process guided by the President Rodrigo Duterte's roadmap to peace.

The military will support fully the government’s war on drugs and shall extend full support to the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies both in terms of personnel and intelligence.

"Finally, I say there is no letter ‘I’ in the word ‘TEAM’. We shall all aspire for the collective accomplishment above individual fulfillment. Again, I urge the men and women of the AFP to work with me as we continue our journey together with our actions embed with the AFP Core Values of Honor, Service, and Patriotism,” Año said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=953184