AFP earns highest approval, trust rating among gov’t agencies

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 12, 2022): AFP earns highest approval, trust rating among gov’t agencies (By Priam Nepomuceno)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said it welcomes the continued appreciation of the Filipino people after a survey group said the military garnered the highest approval and trust ratings of all government agencies in its first-quarter survey.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines welcome the Filipino people's continuous trust and confidence, as shown in the 2022 Pahayag First Quarter Survey by Publicus Asia," AFP spokesperson Army Col. Ramon Zagala said in a statement forwarded to reporters.

In the survey involving 1,500 respondents, the AFP garnered the highest approval and trust ratings among government agencies, scoring 67.4 percent and 53.4 percent, respectively.

Zagala said the survey result manifests the people's optimism with the AFP's unremitting efforts to secure peace and security, paving the way for the country's continuous development.

"The men and women of the AFP shall reciprocate this encouraging result with renewed dedication to perform our mandate of protecting the people and securing the state," he said.

AFP chief Gen. Andres Centino, for his part, thanked the soldiers for getting the military's highest approval and trust ratings that it garnered in the latest Publicus Asia survey.

"I am thankful for what the Philippine Army has contributed in the accomplishment of the AFP's internal security campaigns and in providing needed services to our people during emergencies and natural calamities," Centino said during his visit to Philippine Army (PA) headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig on Tuesday.

In his visit to PA headquarters, the AFP chief was welcomed by Army commander Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.

Centino was rendered with military honors and was conferred the Combat Kagitingan Badge at the HPA Grandstand.

During his talk to the troops, the AFP chief reassured members in the field that their needs will be well taken care of as they carry out the task of combatting armed threats.

"We have already built competence and mastery of what we are doing. We also have the right mix of tactics and strategies to remove the armed threats' capabilities to intimidate and extort from the people and weaken their ability to generate resources," he said.

He also imparted that President Rodrigo Duterte salutes the men and women of the AFP for their continuing dedication and service to the country and people.

"The President expressed his gratitude for the AFP's multi-faceted role in nation-building -- as protector of the people and the state against all threats and helping our people during calamities. He said he is happy to leave his position soon, knowing that he is leaving behind a strong Armed Forces. I thank the PA for your contributions to making the AFP stronger than before," Centino said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172041