Noy to hold 1st command conference

MANILA, Philippines -President Aquino will meet with top military generals at Camp Aguinaldo on Monday to preside over a command conference in his capacity as the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“The President will be coming over to the general headquarters, his first formal command conference and command briefing to be attended by the top brass,” Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta, AFP spokesman, said.

Aside from the AFP chief, Lt. Gen. Ricardo David and his staff, three service commanders – Army chief Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena and Navy acting chief Rear Admiral Danilo Cortez – will be attending the briefing.

The President is scheduled to be updated by the AFP top brass about plans and programs with emphasis on modernization of the military.

The AFP is also briefing the commander-in-chief on the new strategy that will be crafted by key military planners to defeat the country’s long-running problem on communist insurgency.

“That is one of the topics that will be discussed. We will be informing the President that we will be crafting new plans and timelines that would give emphasis on respect for human rights,” Mabanta said.

After assuming command as AFP chief Monday last week, David announced that the military leadership intends to defeat the communist insurgents within three years.

“This time, we envision that we will go down to the specifics and particulars. We also anticipate that the President will be coming up with additional policies and instructions for the conduct of internal security operations as well as internal and external security to include other civil-military activities,” Mabanta said.

Reassignments questioned

Mabanta also defended the first wave of military reassignments amid reports that some officers are dissatisfied with the way promotions were granted.

He said the designation of military posts followed proper procedures and were based on factors such as service reputation.

“There is no favoritism. The most important thing is the ability to produce results and attain the missions given the command he will be handling,” he said.

“In any promotion and designation of position, seniority is just one criterion. Also important is the past accomplishments (of an officer),” Mabanta added, reacting to reports that a two-star general and some junior officers are griping over the recent military reassignments approved by Mr. Aquino.      – Alexis Romero