President Benigno Aquino III on Friday rallied the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the celebration of its 77th founding anniversary, noting that his administration remains steadfast in its commitment to modernize the military.
“Mantakin po ninyo, mahigit dalawampu’t walong bilyong piso ang agad nating inilaan para sa AFP Modernization Program sa loob lamang ng isang taon at pitong buwan,” Aquino said in his speech.
He was referring to the recently signed AFP Modernization Act, which allots P75 Billion in funds for the use of the military.
Aquino also announced that several newly acquired vessels will arrive in the country shortly.
“Mula sa pagiging kawawang cowboy, itinulak natin ang AFP bilang mas moderno’t mas maaasahang tanggulan. Dumaong na ang BRP del Pilar, at paparating na rin ang BRP Alcaraz, ang ating mga Hamilton class cutters. Nagkaroon rin tayo ng BRP Tagbanua, ang kauna-unahang landing craft utility na gawang Pinoy,” he said.
Aquino also enumerated several housing projects that will benefit men and women in uniform.
“Nariyan ang 21,800 na bahay na itinayo para sa mga pulis at kasundaluhan, at ang karagdagang 31,200 na kabahayan pa na inaasahan nating makumpleto sa Agosto 2013, hindi lang para sa mga pulis at sundalo, kundi pati na sa mga bumbero at kawani ng BJMP (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology),” he said.
Aquino also boasted that thanks to the actions of the armed forces, over 200 communist rebels have been brought into custody, while the government regained control of 16 baranggays.
He added that compared to the previous year, there is an estimated 23 percent less incidence of violence due to leftist rebels.
“Kung ikukumpara sa nakaraang taon, dalawampu’t tatlong porsyento po ang ibinaba ng insidente ng karahasang dulot ng CPP-NPA-NDF,” Aquino said, referring to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front.
Aquino, however, said that while improvements are visible, the AFP should not rest on its laurels, but instead work towards lasting peace.
“[Pero] hindi po tayo makukuntento hangga’t may mga pamilya pa ring naiipit sa mga walang katuturang bakbakan. Kumpiyansa at inaasahan po nating sa pag-iral ng IPSP Bayanihan, napipinto na ang paglaganap ng malawakang kapayapaan sa mga lugar na dati’y pugad ng armadong hidwaan,” he said. — Patricia Denise Chiu/KBK, GMA News
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