Defense chief lauds P-Noy for backing military upgrade

MANILA, Philippines - Outgoing Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin lauded yesterday the Aquino administration for fully backing the Armed Forces’  capability upgrade.

He will step down on June 30, the day President Aquino ends his six-year term.

His successor is Delfin Lorenzana, a retired Army general.

Speaking before Army troops who tendered a testimonial for him at the parade grounds in Taguig City yesterday, Gazmin said he was happy to say that through the strong support of President Aquino, the military has gained significant progress in the implementation of the Capability Upgrade and Modernization Program.

“He effected the release of P60.14 billion from July 2010 to April 2016 and extended to the Philippine Army its modest share from the implementation of the said program,” he said.

Under the Aquino administration, the Army has   acquired 114 units of M113A2 armored personnel carriers obtained through the US  Excess Defense EDA  program, Gazmin said.

The Army’s procurement of armored and mobility assets and field equipment also resulted in the acquisition of six units of APCs and Armored Recovery Vehicles from Israel, 120 units of field ambulances, various types of military trucks, 63,286 units of M4 assault rifles, including the requirements of the Marines, and various types of tactical radio equipment.

Gazmin told the assembled troops that the Army stands to benefit from certain military projects that are now either in contract implementation stage or in process of procurement.

However, the fate of these projects for the Army or the entire Armed Forces remains to be known under the administration of president-elect Rodrigo Duterte, who is highly vocal against the defense acquisition of FA50 lead-in fighter trainer supersonic jets.

However, Gazmin said he is glad that the Army is already headed to a state of professional modernity with its activation in 2011 of the Philippine Army Multi-Sector Advisory Board.

“I am possessed with a high degree of optimism and look up to the accomplishment of the Army vision,” he said.

“By 2028, a world-class army that is a source of national pride. As I speak before you now, our combatants continue to engage with the enemy in the conduct of major, minor and small unit operations against communists and terrorists groups, and other lawless elements throughout the country.”

Gazmin said the Philippine Army of today always demonstrated outstanding courage and determination to fight and defeat the enemies of the republic, whoever they may be.

“I depart from our defense department on June 30, 2016 contented and pleased that I am leaving behind my endeared institutions, the Philippine Army, the immortal monument of courage and patriotism in the defense of our citizenry and their treasured social and democratic ideals,” he said.