Defense Department implements military reforms

Barely three days before the first anniversary of the July 27 Oakwood mutiny, the Department of National Defense (DND) pushed for the implementation of seven "policy initiatives" aimed at improving fiscal and logistics management, soldiers’ welfare and values formation in the military.

Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the initiatives will address the grievances of the soldiers involved in the July 27, 2003, takeover of the Oakwood Premier condotel in Makati City.

"The policy initiatives are already in place and others are being pursued aggressively in line with the reform program in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ordered last year by President Arroyo following the failed mutiny," Ermita said in a statement.

He based his statement on a report by AFP chief Gen. Narciso Abaya, dated July 14, on moves to comply with the recommendations of the Feliciano Commission, the body that investigated the mutiny.

Dr. Carolina Hernandez, the presidential adviser tasked to implement the recommendations, was also briefed by Abaya.

"More meaningful changes are forthcoming as we continuously identify areas of improvement, adopt new policies and introduce the necessary innovations on the way we accomplish our tasks," Ermita said, quoting the Abaya report.

Ermita outlined the changes to be adopted by the DND, including putting limits on the terms of AFP officials involved in financial transactions.

Logistics and procurement officers will be limited to a minimum of two years and a maximum of four years, while disbursement officers will be limited to a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years.

Other reforms include a reduction in the contribution by the major services to the funds managed by general headquarters, the creation of an internal audit system at the Office of the Undersecretary for Internal Control, and legislation on a unified insurance and pension system for all members of the "uniformed services" such as the military, police and firefighters.

Also being eyed are improvements in the medical and dental services of the AFP, a five-year on-base housing program and increased indoctrination on the need for "command responsibility" to "insulate military personnel from partisan politics and destabilization efforts."