NEW PH ARMY CHIEF. Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. (left) shakes hands with newly appointed Philippine Army commander Lt. Gen. Roy Galido during the change of command rites led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (center) at the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday (Aug. 7, 2023). Galido served as commander of the Western Mindanao Command before being named Army chief. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)
Manila, Philippines— President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday assured that his administration is committed to supporting the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), including the Philippine Army (PA).
Marcos made this remark as he challenged the new Army chief, Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, to work on building an agile, adaptable, competitive and world-class Army.
“I look forward to your plans to protect the shared identity that our past and present generations have built, and to transform the Army into a world-class force that is a source of our country’s security and peace and pride,” Marcos said during the PA change of command rites at the Fort Andres Bonifacio in Taguig City.
Marcos vowed to work with the new PA commanding general to create a more conducive environment for growth by addressing threats to national security.
“I look forward to working with you further and I am confident that you will guide the Army to reach more milestones in our campaign to end in our country the insurgency and [terrorism] threat, as well as to address the lingering and emerging threats to our national security,” Marcos said.
“And as you take the reins of the Army, I wish to remind you that the success of an organization depends on our willingness to work persistently with the citizenry and with the civilian government,” he added.
Elevating the Army to a world-class status will test the limits of Galido’s character, but with the supervision, dedication, and perseverance of the new Army chief and the rest of the troops, Marcos said he is confident that “we can rightfully achieve this in no time at all.”
Marcos also dared Galido, former chief of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), and the entire Army to lead and boost their engagements with their foreign counterparts.
“I urge the entirety of our Army to enhance your interoperability and communications, as well as to learn best practices through training and joint exercises, which we intend to further expand,” he said.
“Hand in hand, we will work together to heighten the internal and external security of the Philippines to create a more conducive environment for the comprehensive growth and empowerment of our people,” he added.
Meanwhile, Marcos congratulated AFP chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. Brawner for completing his tour of duty and developing the Army into a progressive and resilient force.
“Under your leadership, we have established a firm defense against insurgency and terrorism by dismantling guerilla fronts and intensifying our peace-building efforts,” Marcos said.
“Through your initiatives to fortify our internal security, the Army has contributed to the development of conflict-affected communities and our overall progress as a nation. For all of these and more, I extend my utmost respect, gratitude, and admiration. I truly wish you all success in your honorable endeavor now as the Armed Forces Chief of Staff,” he added.
The new Army chief is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1990.
Before his tour of duty as commander of WestMinCom from January to August 2023, Galido served as the commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division from August 2022 to January this year.
P50B for AFP modernization
Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said on Monday PHP50 billion has been allotted for the AFP Modernization Program (AFPMP) under the proposed PHP5.768-trillion budget for 2024.
He said the PHP50 billion in programmed new appropriations is all for capital outlay, and shall be used exclusively to bankroll the funding requirements of the AFPMP.
“We are most exposed to threats coming from the sea, so we definitely favor larger modernization projects for the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Marine Corps in the years ahead,” he said.
Pimentel said the AFPMP currently has PHP27.5 billion in programmed new appropriations, plus PHP17.5 billion in unprogrammed new appropriations in the 2023 national budget.
He said programmed appropriations have definite funding sources, while unprogrammed ones provide standby authority for the Department of National Defense to sign more contracts for modernization projects, depending on available government funds, including borrowed money.
Aside from the proposed funding for the AFPMP next year, Pimentel also pushed for a measure that seeks to appropriate PHP5 billion for the installation of new naval forward operating bases to secure the West Philippine Sea’s gas and oil deposits “for the enjoyment of future generations of Filipinos.” (with reports from Filane Mikee Cervantes/PNA)
