JDA group to make AFP ‘cutting edge’ of reform

President Arroyo vowed yesterday to transform the Armed Forces (AFP) of the Philippines into the "cutting edge of internal reform" in the government.

The President cited the establishment of a 25-member group at the Department of National Defense (DND), which supervises the AFP, to carry out reforms in the military over the next five years. These reforms aim to improve the AFP’s capability to respond to security threats in the country.

"We are rolling our inexorable reforms in the AFP and there is no turning back," she said. "We will modernize and bring up the AFP to high standards of efficiency and effectiveness, both in combat and non-combat military missions."

"The professionalism of the military will drive our quest for national security and the rule of law," the President said. "The AFP will be the cutting edge of internal reform, counter-terrorism and humanitarian offensives."

Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita announced over the weekend the formation of this 25-member group led by retired Lt. Gen. Ernesto Carolina. The formation of this reform group is part of the recommendations of the Joint Defense Agreement (JDA) forged recently by the Philippine and United States governments.

The JDA resulted from the President’s state visit to Washington in May. During Mrs. Arroyo’s visit, US President George W. Bush promised to review the security needs of the Philippines for use as a basis for US military assistance to the Philippines, especially in support of the US-led global war on terrorism.

In his reciprocal state visit to Manila in October, Bush and Mrs. Arroyo agreed on the adoption of the JDA for immediate implementation of the RP-US alliance to fight international terrorist cells in Southeast Asia.

"We will take down terrorists and secure the peace. With the support of earnest allies, such as the US, we shall bring the soldiers at par with the steep challenges of the 21st century," she said.

The President tasked Ermita with fleshing out the recommendations of the JDA, including the creation of the government’s reform group. – Marichu Villanueva