GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
DND’s Galvez to prioritize solid coordination with AFP
The Department of National Defense (DND) on Friday said Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. will prioritize maintaining a solid coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) amid “rumblings” within the organization.
In a statement, the DND said Galvez held his first Talk to the Troops at the Army Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio on Wednesday.
“Yung ating AFP at DND, gusto naming maging solid kaya nagpunta kami dito sa Army Headquarters (We want our DND and AFP to be solid that is why we come here at Army Headquarters)” said Galvez, a former military chief.
He called on all uniformed personnel to take care of the people, resources, and the AFP, as well as to maintain the integrity of the organization.
Galvez on Tuesday said they are eyeing to resolve the reported unrest within the AFP in connection with Republic Act 11709, which grants a three-year fixed term for key AFP officials, including the chief of staff.
He admitted during a Senate hearing that there are rumblings within the military ranks due to the “unintended consequences” of Republic Act 11709.
(Yes, because the unintended consequences of our retirement law really gravely affected the morale.)
“We have told the President that we will fix things and hopefully, maayos po namin ito, your honors, earliest possible time ang pinaka ano namin, we are able to normalize everything on or before the end of the quarter,” Galvez said.
(We have told the President that we will fix things and hopefully, we can fix this, your honors. The earliest possible time that we are able to normalize everything on or before the end of the quarter.)
The DND has proposed amendments on RA 11709, which Galvez presented during the Senate hearing, in particular, the provisions pertaining to the AFP's enlisted personnel.
“Huwag na kayong mangamba, inirekomenda ng DND at AFP na ang promotion system at retirement ng mga enlisted personnel ay hindi na sasailalim sa RA 11709,” he said.
(Do not worry, the DND and AFP recommended not to include the promotion system and retirement of the enlisted personnel in RA11709.)
In a separate statement, the Philippine Army said Galvez also discussed his support to the AFP modernization program to address the “growing and significant challenges to the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty."
He also mentioned dismantling all communist guerrilla fronts and neutralizing threat groups in the country. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
