AFP looking forward to a more productive 2014

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 31): AFP looking forward to a more productive 2014

With 2014 just a few hours away, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday announced that it is looking forward to post more significant achievements this coming year.

Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista, AFP chief-of-staff, made this announcement after noting that the military had a banner year this 2013 due to its successful defense of Zamboanga City last September against rogue Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters and its humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations in the "Yolanda"-affected areas of Visayas.

“As we celebrate the holiday season and welcome 2014, may all the soldiers take pride in everything that we have accomplished in our pursuit of just and lasting peace for the Philippines, and in our transformation initiatives,” he added.

Bautista also expressed his gratitude to the soldiers for their display of courage during all the challenges that the AFP faced this year.

“I am proud of the courage that you have displayed, and for the commitment to give our fellow Filipinos a much brighter future. Please know that because of your hard work and dedication to service, our nation is more peaceful, and more secure,” he stressed.

It will be remembered that members of the Misuari MNLF elements (RMEs) arrived in Zamboanga City last Sept. 9 and planned to occupy the City Hall and manifest their independence, taking several civilian hostages in the process.

Although it suffered losses, the AFP was able to counter the RMEs through immediate containment operations followed by calibrated military response which ultimately resulted to the neutralization of the enemy (208 RMEs killed while 294 captured/apprehended).

Twenty soldiers and five Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel also lost their lives along with 177 soldiers and 17 police who were wounded. A total of 195 hostages were also rescued.

The year 2013 also marked two of the most devastating natural calamities that hit the country when a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit Central Visayas last October and "Yolanda" struck the region leaving massive destruction and crisis last November.

Despite difficulties, the AFP was able to proceed in its HADR efforts in Bohol and in "Yolanda"-affected Visayas deploying about 600 combined land, air and naval assets and more than 18,000 personnel.

The past year also posed great challenges for the armed forces.

Last March, 21 Filipino peacekeepers were held captive amid conflict between rebels and government forces in Syria and in May, four peacekeepers were once again held hostage by the rebels.

Through negotiations, the soldiers were released about five days after their capture.

Also in 2013, the AFP faced challenges such as the Sabah crisis and the ongoing dispute in the West Philippine Sea but despite these, the AFP remained true to its mandate and effectively performed its duties.

With another year coming, Bautista said the AFP will continue to implement genuine reforms and programs aimed at improving and enhancing its organization.

Guided by its thrust on Territorial Defense, Internal Security Operations, Organizational Reform, and Support to Peace and Nation-Building, the AFP looks forward to finally achieving our common goal of a just and lasting peace and stability for our country in the coming year.

“May we build on our triumphs in the past to meet the challenges of the future. And through the true spirit of 'Bayanihan', let us further engage our people to join us in the accomplishment of our objectives,” Bautista said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=600885