WITH only 100 days left in his term, President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday thanked the military for its professionalism and said he was proud to be leaving an armed forces with “high morale, high recognition and high respect from the people.”
“Here is the Army and AFP which we will pass on, as I bid goodbye as commander-in-chief: A military with high morale and fully prepared for any challenge; a military with high recognition, and high respect from the people; a professional military with strong principles,” Aquino said during the 119th anniversary of the Philippine Army in Taguig City.
During his speech, Aquino also said that his administration was able to implement 68 big-ticket projects worth P58.43 billion for the modernization of the entire AFP. Of these, 26 projects estimated to cost P7.79 billion went to the Army.
Aside from the AFP modernization, Aquino also cited the 61,000 units completed for the AFP-PNP Housing Program, the livelihood programs for active and retired members of the AFP, and the increase in monthly combat pay and subsistence allowance.
At the same time, PA commander Lt. Gen. Eduardo Ano lauded the country’s leaders for helping bring about the military services much-needed modernization.
Ano said the PA, in 2015, has already received 56,844 R-4 carbine units, which were replacement of the Vietnam-era M-16 automatic rifles, 124 additional armored vehicles, six armored personnel carriers fitted with .50 caliber remote-controlled weapon systems, 60 field ambulances and 300 light utility vehicles.
Ano said these additional equipment will make the PA more responsive and capable in its security and disaster alleviation missions.
Aside from these, 2,000 assorted radio and communication equipment were also acquired by the PA, giving it much effective command-and-control over its various units.
For 2016, the PA chief said they are expecting the arrival of additional infantry fighting and fire support vehicles, brand-new 155mm howitzers, light utility vehicles, 60mm mortars, 40mm grenade launchers, rocket launcher light units and 50-watt armored vehicle configured radios.