From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 6): 2014 marks beginning of AFP's gradual transition to territorial defense
As the military expedites its modernization efforts, Armed Forces of thePhilippines chief-of-staff Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista on Monday announced that 2014 is the year AFP begins its gradual transition to territorial defense.
This was highlighted by the series of acquisitions in 2013 which boosted the capabilities of the military to protect the country from internal and external threats.
"Bayanihan" plans for 2010 to 2013 calls for the turnover of internal security missions to the Philippine National Police.
However, Bautista said that the shift is being hampered by the military in fighting the remaining pockets of insurgency in the country.
"I think this hinders (our progress)," he added.
But despite this, Bautista stressed that the AFP will sustain its "Bayanihan" strategy to fully end all the internal conflicts.
"Its more of an appeal to our people (to) end all internal conflicts because there are more pressing concerns, urgent concerns that we need to address, we are witness to 'Yolanda', climate change, we are witness to our problems in the West Philippine Sea and many more which calls for us as a people to be cohesive, to be focused on problems that we face as a people, so it is imperative for all of us to join hands in finally ending our internal conflict," the AFP chief stressed.
Bautista declined to comment on the exact numbers of New People's Army (NPA) fighters left but stressed that these have very reduced capabilities.
These cadres are operating inCompostela Valley , Masbate , and parts of Bicol.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=602219
As the military expedites its modernization efforts, Armed Forces of the
This was highlighted by the series of acquisitions in 2013 which boosted the capabilities of the military to protect the country from internal and external threats.
"Bayanihan" plans for 2010 to 2013 calls for the turnover of internal security missions to the Philippine National Police.
However, Bautista said that the shift is being hampered by the military in fighting the remaining pockets of insurgency in the country.
"I think this hinders (our progress)," he added.
But despite this, Bautista stressed that the AFP will sustain its "Bayanihan" strategy to fully end all the internal conflicts.
"Its more of an appeal to our people (to) end all internal conflicts because there are more pressing concerns, urgent concerns that we need to address, we are witness to 'Yolanda', climate change, we are witness to our problems in the West Philippine Sea and many more which calls for us as a people to be cohesive, to be focused on problems that we face as a people, so it is imperative for all of us to join hands in finally ending our internal conflict," the AFP chief stressed.
Bautista declined to comment on the exact numbers of New People's Army (NPA) fighters left but stressed that these have very reduced capabilities.
These cadres are operating in
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=602219