Army halts downsizing for insurgency fight


The Philippine Army has postponed a plan to downsize its divisions in the face of continuing counterinsurgency operations, Army chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon said on Wednesday.

Esperon said the intensified counterinsurgency campaign will target secessionist groups and insurgents especially the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing New People's Army (NPA).

"The plan to deactive two divisions was held in abeyance. Instead we're coming up with probably another two battalions so that [our number] could be equal to the tasks of combatting threats to the nation, especially the CPP," Esperon told ANC.

He said the CPP and NPA are both on the US government's list of foreign terrorist organizations.

Earlier reports said the CPP Central Committee has ordered all rebel fronts to intensify attacks against the government to hasten the removal of President Arroyo.

Esperon said the Army aims to retrain 12 battalions every year. "We are looking a newer Army in three years time and probably the best Army in Southeast Asia in six years time," he said.

He added that the Army would have retrained 74 battalions by 2011.

Esperon said the Army will still pursue reforms as provided for in the Capability Upgrade Program of the Department of National Defense. The program is formerly known as the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization program.

Among the thrusts of the reform program are: equipment upgrade including the procurement of new weapons; developmental programs such as improving the housing and health programs for soldiers.

One of the projects of the Army is to set up so-called transient facilities for soldiers who will go home to far-flung provinces. At present, there are 19 such facilities in the country, Esperon said.

The Army will also build a Libingan ng mga Bayani in Visayas and Mindanao for fallen soldiers, Esperon said

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=23489

:bow: ako sa yo Gen. Esperon pag nangyari yun while you're in command! Why not start making our troops well equipt, well fed and well supported before we aspire to make them the best in Asia?

I find it funny... it's time for a wake up call, boys and girls! This is a problem that should've been taken care of years ago.

different name, and hopefully not staffed by the same bunch of idiots..... :headbang:

take heart wushu.. the CUP has brighter future. The first block of projects for ISO (e.g. watercraft, radios, NCAH) already has funds... In contrast, the AFPMP used up 5 yrs just to draft implemting guidelines rules and regulations and nearly 6 years to get funds allocated from Congress (not funds from the BCDA and/or MOOE savings)

never thought that the Army was down-sizing considering the the activation of the 10TH Infantry Division and upgrading of the Light Armor Brigade to the Light Armor Division.

I've seen a documentary in one of our local channels that our soldiers in the front eat Sky Flakes and canned sardines. I sure would love to know that they're being fed with MREs in the near future.

the program is overdue, but its a pleasant sound to my ears. :armycheers:

I CERTAINLY AGREE!!!!!