Aquino to AFP: Modernization to stop without ‘Daang Matuwid’

From GMA News (Jul 1): Aquino to AFP: Modernization to stop without ‘Daang Matuwid’

President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday challenged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to sustain his reforms in what sounded like his valedictory speech as the military's commander-in-chief.

During the Philippine Air Forces' (PAF) 68th anniversary event, Aquino told soldiers that AFP modernization will be put to a halt if the military will not continue upholding his platform of governance, summed up in the phrase "Daang Matuwid" (straight path).

"Kailangang tuloy-tuloy ang pagpanig natin sa Daang Matuwid; oras nga po na lumihis tayo mula rito, pihadong mauudlot ang pagsagad ninyo sa positibong pagbabagong ating nasimulan," Aquino said in his speech.

The President nevertheless pledged to double his support for the military as he nears the end of his term.

"Malinaw po: Mayroon nang gobyernong tunay na nagmamalasakit sa mga kawal nating kumakalinga sa mamamayan. Sa nalalabing panahon natin sa puwesto, makakaasa kayong hindi magmamaliw ang suporta natin sa inyong hanay," he said.

As he recalled the state of the AFP before he assumed office, Aquino once again took a swipe at former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s administration for supposedly neglecting the military.

“Ang ipinamana sa atin: Sambayanang uhaw sa kaunlaran at pagkakataon; isang Sandatahang Lakas na handang gawin ang tama’t makatwiran pero salat sa suporta at kagamitan; isang Hukbong Himpapawid na limitado ang kakayahang maabot ang matatayog na adhikain para sa bayan,” he said.

Aquino contrasted this to the “care” his administration extended to the military. He boasted of 55 AFP modernization projects his presidency had completed over the past five years.

“Sa mabuting pamamahala, pinaunlad natin ang kakayahan at kagamitan ng mga kawal ng bayan. Ang hangad natin: Bigyang-lakas kayo upang mas epektibo ninyong magampanan ang inyong mandato. Kaya nga po tuloy-tuloy ang pagsusulong natin ng modernisasyon sa AFP,” he said.

The PAF will receive two new fighter planes, two light lift transports and six combat utility helicopters in the coming months, Aquino added.

“Naalala ko nga ang sinabi ng isang bagong graduate ng Philippine Military Academy nitong taon: Salamat daw, at ‘yung ating Air Force, hindi na lang puro air kundi talagang meron na ring force,” he said.

The President further pledged to double his support for the military as he nears the end of his term.

"Malinaw po: Mayroon nang gobyernong tunay na nagmamalasakit sa mga kawal nating kumakalinga sa mamamayan. Sa nalalabing panahon natin sa puwesto, makakaasa kayong hindi magmamaliw ang suporta natin sa inyong hanay," he said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/513798/news/nation/aquino-to-afp-modernization-to-stop-without-daang-matuwid