AFP gives itself big pat on the back

From Malaya Business Insight (Jan 8): AFP gives itself big pat on the back

ARMED Forces chief Gen. Hernando Iriberri yesterday declared that the military did well last year and said this year, it is facing bigger challenges, including the national and local elections in May.

“The year 2015 has been a memorable year for the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines…We made good on many of our goals,” said Iriberri during the joint DND-AFP traditional New Year’s call in Camp Aguinaldo.

Iriberri said the military made “great strides” in the implementation of its modernization program. New assets were delivered last year, including two FA-50 fighter jets from the Korea Aerospace Industries.

He said the AFP is determined to “continue to win the peace and protect the gains that have been made,” in keeping with the Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan which is the military’s blueprint in winning the peace, and which was launched in January 2011.

Iriberri also said the military is dedicating its “energies and efforts” to ensure a peaceful electoral exercise in May.

He warned soldiers against involvement in partisan political activity in the coming elections, saying they should be prepared for punishments if they do so.

Involvement in partisan political activity could mean separation from the service, said AFP spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla.

Iriberri said the military would also intensify operations against private armed groups which he said pose a threat to the peaceful and orderly conduct of the elections.

On defeating the communist insurgency at the end of the year in line with IPSP Bayanihan, Iriberri said, “That is our challenge.”

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