Friday, June 13, 2014

Professionalization of ranks also an AFP objective -- Gen. Bautista

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 13): Professionalization of ranks also an AFP objective -- Gen. Bautista

With the modernization of the military now in full swing, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista on Friday said that efforts are also ongoing to ensure the professionalization of all its ranks.

"(Modernization) is a two-way track, one is for developing our military capabilities and the other one is concerned on the professionalization of our ranks," he said in Filipino.

Bautista stressed that professionalization covers not only the competence and efficiency of the military but also good governance, doing what is right, of being non-partisan, and being good adherence to human rights, international humanitarian law and rule of law.

At the moment, the Army is doing this through the Army Transformation Roadmap.

The AFP chief said that this direction is also being undertaken now by the Navy and the Air Force.

"That (ATR) is a very big program for the Army and the AFP. (The challenge) is cascading it downward to the individual soldiers. A score card will be followed for the entire Army so that from the commanding general and down the line, everyone can feel that he is part of ATR," Bautista stressed.

He added that the same process will also be followed in the modernization, citing that every frontline soldier will be given a new rifle and force protection equipment.

"We want to institutionalize this (ATR), not just of the leadership but of the entire AFP. That is the only way we can ensure that this will be carried on to the future," Bautista pointed out.

He made this statement after noting that he is scheduled to retire this coming July 18.

"(And) with the institutionalization of the transformation and our Internal Peace and Security Plan 'Bayanihan', I'm very confident that there would a continuity of strategy of policy within the Armed Forces," he added.

Bautista declined to comment on who will be his successor, adding that appointment of a new AFP chief is the prerogative of the President, Secretary of Defense and the Board of Generals.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=653142

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