MANILA, Philippines – Pabor ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at ang Philippine National Police (PNP) sa pagpapatupad ng military training para sa mga Pilipinong may edad 18 taong gulang.

Ayon sa PNP, suportado nila ang panukala dahil malaki ang maitutulong nito upang mabawasan ang krimen at maging disiplinado ang mga kabataan. Makakatulong rin ang mga kabataan sa pamahalaan sa panahon ng kalamidad.

“It is ideal for our country to have its citizens ready to be mobilizes for contingencies and emergencies, they can act as military reserve corps na puwede nating i-tap para mapaigting ang ating depensa against lawlessness,” ang pahayag ni PNP spokeperson Police Colonel Rhoderick Augustus Alba.

“Matuturuan din po sila ng practical life-saving skills para maipagtanggol ang mga sarili especially sa mga panahon ng tragedy,” dagdag pa niya.

Sang-ayon rin ang AFP sa pagsasailalim sa mga 18-anyos na Pilipino sa mandatory military training upang makatulong sila sa pagpapatatag sa bansa.

“We welcome the proposal as this is attuned to the times while government is faced with adversities and challenges, aligned with our aspirations for the citizenry to contribute to nation building,” ang wika ni Col. Ramon Zagala, ang tagapagsalita ng AFP.

“Rendering mandatory military service will only help us to establish base for a strong armed forces, and therefore a strong nation,” dagdag pa niya.

Sa pananaw naman ni Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, maganda ang hangarin ng mandatory military training gaya ng pagkakaroon ng disiplina at pagmamahal sa bansa ng mga kabataan.

“We in the DND support the mandatory military service of 18-year-old Filipinos. There are several advantages: First, the military will have a ready and steady trained pool of reservists to defend the country and do HADR work; second, the training and discipline that they will acquire will make them better citizens; third, service to the country will be inculcated in them,” ani Lorenzana.

Gayunman, marami aniya siyang nakikitang balakid sa pagpapatupad ng programa gaya ng kakulangan sa pondo at resources, pati na ang kakulangan sa malalaking kampo sa bansa para sa milyong kabataang sasali sa training bawat taon.

Hindi rin aniya naghahanda ang bansa para sa isang giyera kayat hindi kailangan ng maraming military personnel.

“There are huge hurdles in  implementing this: First, are the funds and resources. Training camps would need to be established all over the land, and manpower and funds must be allocated to accommodate the millions who will reach the age of 18 every year,” ang wika ni Lorenzana.

 “Second, are the anticipated objections of those who are not inclined to serve in the military. Third, we are not on war footing and there will be little need of a general mobilization,” dagdag pa niya.

Mas mainam aniya kung ibabalik ang Mandatory Reserved Officer Training Corps (ROTC) para sa mga pampubliko at pribadong eswelahan dahil sapat na ang training na ito para makatulong ang mga kabataan sa panahon ng kalamidad.

“The implementation of mandatory ROTC in private and public schools is the better alternative. We are already starting to implement this in the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs). This program, which targets the K11-K12 levels, will produce a  huge number of youths who will form part of our reservists,” ani Lorenzana.

Taong 2002 nang i-abolish ang mandatory ROTC kasunod ng pagkamatay ng UST student na si Mark Chua nang ilantad ang umano’y ilang anomalya sa training corps.

Sa ngayon voluntary na lamang ito kasama ng dalawa pang component ng National Service Training Program (NSTP) na Civic Welfare Training Service at Literacy Training Service.

Una nang sinabi ni Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte sa isang virtual caravan na isusulong nya ang pagkakaroon ng mandatory military training sa lahat ng 18 taong gulang na pilipino babae man o lalaki. (mula sa ulat ni Correspondent Lea Ylagan)

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has formally deputized the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure the conduct of “free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible” May 9, 2022 national and local elections.

Under Resolution No. 10755 promulgated on Wednesday, January 19, the COMELEC listed the following duties and functions to be performed by AFP and PNP personnel as its deputized agents:

• Provide security to polling places, polling centers/voting centers, canvassing centers, and such other places or buildings, including election paraphernalia, equipment, forms, and supplies, that will be used in connection with the elections;

• Provide security to the personnel of the Commission, its deputies, and other persons performing election-related functions;

• Deploy, at the least time possible, troops for election duty in coordination with the concerned Regional Election Director, Provincial Election Supervisor, and Election Officer;

• Make available, at the least time possible, land, air, and watercraft assets, communication systems, and other equipment, in connection with the conduct of the elections;

• Look into the existence of any armed group organized to commit, or which is committing or attempting to commit, acts of terrorism, or threats to intimidate or coerce any person to vote for or against a candidate, and to suppress or prevent said acts of terrorism or threats;

• Assist the Commission in implementing more effectively election laws and/ or rules and regulations, particularly the laws governing prohibition against military, policemen and provincial guards acting as bodyguards or security guards for the candidates, the use of armored vehicles and air or watercraft, and the prohibition on bearing, carrying or transporting firearms and other deadly weapons in public places;

• Provide security escorts to candidates, subject to the conditions and restrictions on the Resolution imposing the ban on the carrying of firearms and other deadly weapons and the ban on the use of security personnel or bodyguards; provided that, the AFP can provide security escorts only in the absence of personnel of the PNP and other law enforcement agencies;

• Conduct a periodic assessment of the peace and order conditions in critical areas and recommend measures which may be adopted by the Commission in the interest of free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible elections;

• Comply with and/ or implement directives or resolutions of the Commission, which shall take precedence over and above the orders and directives issued by any other office or agency of the Government, except the Supreme Court and those issued in habeas corpus cases;

• Render periodic reports on action taken in accordance with this Resolution

The poll body reminded that despite being deputized, soldiers shall continue with the conduct of all Internal Security Operations or its own functions and responsibilities and that no changes in the assignments of police personnel can be effected except upon prior written permission of the commission.

The resolution shall take effect after its publication in two daily newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines, the COMELEC said.

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has designated new chiefs for the Northern Luzon and Western Commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Malacañang said Wednesday.

In a statement, the Palace said Duterte has approved the appointment of Rear Admiral Alberto Carlos, the current commander of the Philippine Navy, as the new chief of the AFP Western Command.

He will replace Rear Admiral Roberto Enriquez starting January 24.

Duterte also appointed Major General Ernesto Torres Jr., the current commander of the Philippine Army 10^th Infantry Division, as the new chief of the AFP Northern Luzon Command.

He will replace Lieutenant General Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. effective January 7.

“We wish both officers all the best in their new tours of duty, and we are confident that they will continue to perform their mandate to serve our people and to secure our nation with professionalism, integrity, and dedicated service,” the Palace said.

In a separate statement, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana welcomed the appointment of the new officers to the two commands of the AFP “tasked with protecting the country’s northern and western frontiers.”

Lorenzana also confirmed the assumption of Major General Nestor Herico as the new commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps effective February 21. He will replace retiring Major General Ariel Caculitan.

“As these gentlemen assume their new roles in the organization, I am confident that they will rise to the occasion and effectively lead our troops in securing our nation and our people,” the DND chief said.