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| AFP Modernization Program | |
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| Topic Started: Aug 22 2004, 11:30 AM (217,234 Views) | |
| Banahaw | Aug 22 2004, 11:30 AM Post #1 |
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Trainee
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good news then if implemented properly... :thumb: AFP modernization gets top priority New defense chief vows tranparency in procurement process By ARIS R. ILAGAN Incoming Defense Secretary Avelino “Nonong” Cruz said yesterday he will give top priority to the implementation of the much delayed modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and vowed transparency in the procurement process as a deterrent to anomalous transactions. Meanwhile, outgoing Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita, recently appointed by President Arroyo as the new Executive Secretary, expressed optimism that the appointment of Cruz – a civilian and a lawyer by profession – will usher in better opportunities for the Department of National Defense (DND) that was anchored on his experience as member of the Cabinet oversight committee on internal security. In an interview, Cruz said that he will push for the modernization of the AFP in order to boost the capability of the military against "enemies of the State." He stressed, however, that safeguards against anomalous procurement will be in place so that the funding on the modernization process will be utilized wisely. Cruz, former legal counsel of the President, will formally assume the top defense post from Ermita in the turnover ceremonies tentatively scheduled on Tuesday at the DND in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. A graduate of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law in 1977, Cruz said he is open to innovative and fresh solutions in answering the needs of the military personnel to ensure their efficiency and effectiveness. "Actually, I have invited members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines – particularly bishop Fernando Capalla and businessman Jose Concepcion – to have a role in the implementation of the AFP modernization. The participation of the private sector in the procurement could improve the system in upgrading the military hardware." He will also push for the regular rotation of military officers assigned in supply procurement offices to prevent them from being involved in shady transactions. As defense secretary, Cruz also said that he will exert more efforts in improving the welfare of soldiers and their dependents by pushing for programs that would provide them more benefits. He also plans to institutionalize an effective insurance system for the AFP. "He is very efficient, very orderly in his thoughts. He is a young man with very sharp intellect," Ermita said in describing Cruz during a farewell meeting with members of the Defense Press Corps at Camp Aguinaldo. On the other hand, Ermita said that he is ready to assume his new role as executive secretary. RAM agrees with Cruz as new defense sec The Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM) yesterday welcomed the appointment of a civilian, Atty. Avelino Cruz Jr. as secretary of national defense. "This gives form and substance to the Constitutional provision that civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. This may also lessen perception from some sectors that past Department of National Defense (DND) secretaries coming from the military tend to micro-manage the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)," the RAM said. "Secretary Cruz brings to the department professional competence, vast experience in public and private administration and unsullied reputation. As a lawyer, his primary concern for human rights, rule of law and due process will minimize charges of violations by the military in these areas." The DND, aside from the AFP, has various civilian bureaus like the Government Arsenal, the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, the National Disaster Coordinating Council and the National Defense College of the Philippines which exercise inherently civilian functions. Likewise, DND is primarily involved in the budget process, modernization of the armed forces and reforms in the department which are basically civilian in nature. The government is currently involved in the peace talks with CPP-NPA and the MILF. From RAM’s experience with its peace talks with the government, DND’s input in the process will be more objective if coming from a civilian rather than from a former military officer, who may have some involvement in the conflict, RAM said. "RAM enjoins the public to give Secretary Cruz a chance to prove his worth as secretary of national defense, since the administration has positively responded to the clamor and the Feliciano Commission’s recommendation to appoint a civilian defense secretary." http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN2004082216848.html If a civilian DEFSEC can hack this out - then he is going to earn my absolute respect and gratitude 
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| al'Lan Mandragoran | Aug 22 2004, 12:28 PM Post #2 |
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Maybe a civilian Defense Secretary is just what is needed to implement a tangible modernization program. |
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"In wars, boy, fools kill other fools for foolish causes." "Run when you have to, fight when you must, rest when you can." - Robert Jordan; The Wheel of Time | |
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| Numbers | Aug 22 2004, 03:06 PM Post #3 |
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PDFF Moderator
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Good move. If he can do this. |
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One little two little three little four little... Behind every successful man, there is a woman And behind every unsuccessful man, there are two. A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.... | |
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| flipzi | May 5 2005, 09:21 AM Post #4 |
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Ex-president accused for poor condition of military choppers 05/04 11:19:27 AM Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. Tuesday said the Philippine Air Force (PAF) would have been less dependent on reconditioned US Huey helicopters had the seven billion peso-military modernization fund not been lost during the Ramos administration. Pimentel said part of this "missing" fund would have been spent for the acquisition of new helicopters with advanced safety features, as well as spare parts, which would have helped prevent air accidents. Earlier, a Huey helicopter crashed in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija and killed nine persons, including former Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Director Raymundo Punongbayan. Pimentel lamented that the neglect of the modernization of PAF’s fleet of aircraft, as mandated by law, has not only weakened the fighting and support capability of the air force but also endangered the lives of pilots and passengers. "It’s very distressing that the money intended for Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP) modernization mysteriously disappeared. If I’m not mistaken, at least seven billion pesos was diverted to still unknown purposes during the time of President Ramos. And it has not been found up to now," Pimentel said. He asked the Department of Budget and Management and the Bureau of Treasury whether they were able to trace the fund if only to pinpoint responsibility and to take legal action against persons who might have had a hand in its disappearance or illegal use. Due to lack of necessary funds, Pimentel noted that the PAF is forced to cannibalize aircraft, where instead of purchasing new spare parts, aviation mechanics replace a defective part with a good one taken from a decommissioned helicopter or airplane. The opposition senator said that while the PAF has to make do with refurbished helicopters, many of which saw action during the Vietnam war, it is important that these are properly maintained to prevent accidents. He stressed this point in view of reports that skilled aircraft mechanics are leaving the PAF to accept attractive job offers from commercial airlines here and abroad. ===================================================== That opportunity he got could have helped the AFP much in making a BIG LEAP. I just couldnt understand why he decided to lose that very rare opportunity. Sayang talaga. Puro naiwan sa nakawan tuloy pera ng AFP modernization. KANINO KAYANG BULSA NAPUNTA? |
 " Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them! - Art. II Sec 1, Philippine Constitution " " People don't care what we know until they know we care. " getflipzi@yahoo.com | |
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| saver111 | May 5 2005, 12:29 PM Post #5 |
PDFF Moderator
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"KANINO KAYANG BULSA NAPUNTA?" Better asks those retired Generals why they wanted a coup. Now that the gov't is hot on their trails, they are opting for a change of gov't. Niloloko nyo pa kami! 
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 Justice for Daniel Lorenz Jacinto HELP END PIRACY NOW!: http://www.itfseafarers.org/petition.cfm | |
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| spiderweb6969 | May 8 2005, 01:32 PM Post #6 |
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From Asia Defence Journal December 2004    
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| Tormentor | May 8 2005, 01:59 PM Post #7 |
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good post spider, you can be useful sometimes, for a singaporean 
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 It's a bird, it's a plane...no...it's Super Trillanes! | |
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| spiderweb6969 | May 8 2005, 07:29 PM Post #8 |
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Senior Member
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From Asian Defence & Diplomacy April 2005  |
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| ctrlaltdel | May 8 2005, 07:38 PM Post #9 |
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where can i subscribe, is that magazine available here? |
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| spiderweb6969 | May 8 2005, 10:48 PM Post #10 |
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yes you can subscribe, try www.adprconsult.com.my....but my advice is it's not a janes or military technology quality and it's just a waste of money if your expectation is high. I didn't subscribe it but borrow it from library, i also borrow other 2 magazine like Asian Defence Journals and Janes Defence Weekly. There is also an Australian magazine that i can't borrow because it's at reference section if i'm not mistaken Asian Defence Reporter or something, i forgot. |
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4:28 PM May 23