MANILA, Philippines – Nangako si bagong talagang Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Antonio Nafarrete nitong Martes na palalakasin ang territorial defense capabilities ng militar at pabibilisin ang isinasagawang modernization program.
Sa kanyang inaugural speech sa Camp Aguinaldo sa Quezon City, sinabi ni Nafarrete na nasa mahalagang yugto ng pagbabago ang AFP at kailangang higit pang maisakatuparan ang comprehensive archipelagic defense concept.
“Today the Armed Forces of the Philippines stand at a pivotal point in its transformation. Under my lead, the AFP’s foremost imperative is to strengthen territorial defense and further operationalize the comprehensive archipelagic (defense) concept,” aniya.
Iginiit ni Nafarrete na pangunahing tungkulin ng AFP ang pagprotekta sa teritoryo, soberanya, sovereign rights at pambansang interes ng Pilipinas.
Binigyang-diin niya na hindi lamang pagbili ng mga bagong armas, kagamitan at teknolohiya ang modernisasyon. Aniya, dapat may kasamang sinanay na personnel, malinaw na doktrina, maayos na organisasyon, matatag na pasilidad, maaasahang logistics at pangmatagalang maintenance ang bawat kakayahan ng militar.
“Modernization is a development of an integrated capability. Hence, every platform must have trained personnel. Every system must have clear doctrine. Every capability must be supported by effective organization, resilient facilities, reliable logistics, proper maintenance, and long-term sustainment,” sinabi niya.
Ayon sa bagong AFP chief, nasa mga tauhan ng militar ang tunay nitong lakas, kabilang ang mga sundalo, airman, sailor, Marine, reservist at civilian employee.
“When I assumed command of the Philippine Army last year, I expressed one clear belief: (that) our true strength does not only lie in the weapons we wield, the equipment we acquire, or the technology we adopt. Our true strength lies in our personnel. Today, as I assume leadership of the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines, that belief remains unchanged. It now extends to every soldier, airman, sailor, marine, reservist, and civilian human resource serving across our nation and beyond our shores,” aniya.
Sinabi ni Nafarrete na ilalagay sa sentro ng modernisasyon ng AFP ang human capital development.
“For this reason, human capital development shall be at the center of AFP modernization. We shall invest not only in what we fight with but also in who serves, who leads, who operates and sustains our force,” sinabi niya.
Tiniyak din niya sa publiko na mananatiling propesyonal, disiplinado, non-partisan at tapat sa Konstitusyon ang AFP.
“We shall respect civilian authority. We shall uphold human rights and international humanitarian law. We shall remain accountable to the Filipino people, we are sworn to protect and we shall continue to serve with honor, service and patriotism,” aniya.
Nangako rin si Nafarrete na pangangalagaan ang mga natamong tagumpay sa kapayapaan, poprotektahan ang maritime domain ng bansa, palalakasin ang mga alyansa at pakikipagtulungan, at bubuo ng moderno, kapani-paniwala at may kakayahang sandatahang lakas.
“Together, we will secure our archipelago and protect our maritime domain. Together, we shall strengthen our alliances and partnerships. Together, we shall build a modern, credible, joint, and capable armed forces. And together, we shall prepare not only for the challenges of today, but also for the demands of the future,” dagdag niya. Dave Baluyot
