Title: The Other Side of the AFP
Numbers - August 30, 2004 12:31 PM (GMT)
:specool:
AFP help in goods transfer sought
The National Disaster Coordinating Council on Monday sought the help of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to transport vegetables from northern Luzon, dzMM reported.
Floods and damaged roads prevented the delivery of the vegetables to Metro Manila and nearby provinces, said NDCC executive director Elma Aldea.
Aldea said she has sent a request to the military's Northern Luzon Command to borrow its trucks for the transport. She noted that these trucks were also being used in the distribution of relief goods to areas affected by floods and landslides in last week's torrential rains.
NDCC noted that prices of vegetables went up in Metro Manila over the weekend due to lack of supply and high demand.
abs-cbnNEWS.com/dzMM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/FlashNewsStory....?FlashOID=19692
AFP help in goods transfer sought
The National Disaster Coordinating Council on Monday sought the help of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to transport vegetables from northern Luzon, dzMM reported.
Floods and damaged roads prevented the delivery of the vegetables to Metro Manila and nearby provinces, said NDCC executive director Elma Aldea.
Aldea said she has sent a request to the military's Northern Luzon Command to borrow its trucks for the transport. She noted that these trucks were also being used in the distribution of relief goods to areas affected by floods and landslides in last week's torrential rains.
NDCC noted that prices of vegetables went up in Metro Manila over the weekend due to lack of supply and high demand.
abs-cbnNEWS.com/dzMM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/FlashNewsStory....?FlashOID=19692
dororodo - December 5, 2004 12:48 AM (GMT)
Manila Times Editorial:
Sunday December 05, 2004
EDITORIAL
Soldiers redeem their generals
IN their hour of darkness, Filipino troops showed the real stuff of the professional soldier.
Army, Navy and Air Force units are working 24 hours a day in many parts of Central Luzon to rescue civilians victimized by recent typhoons, retrieve the dead and rebuild properties.
In San Rafael, Bulacan, 10 soldiers on a mission of mercy were killed in an ambush by New People’s Army guerrillas.
The entire Armed Forces is on alert to deploy troops in any part of the country visited by storms to stave off hunger, distribute clothing and medicines, pull out the stranded and return basic services to far-flung communities.
The Naval Special Warfare Group is busy rescuing and evacuating victims in several towns in Quezon. Philippine Navy ships are delivering relief goods to stranded families.
Members of the Army engineering battalion teams, the development arm of the military, are busy repairing roads and bridges, rebuilding homes, fixing communications facilities and restoring normalcy in typhoon-struck towns and cities.
Men of the 505th Search and Rescue Group and the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing of the Philippine Air Force are saving lives, retrieving the dead and rescuing farm animals in Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Bulacan.
On Wednesday, communist insurgents ambushed and almost wiped out an entire Army platoon sent to rescue victims of typhoon “Winnie” in San Rafael, Bulacan.
Ten soldiers were killed and six wounded in the heartless attack. The guerrillas, instead of helping the masa or allowing government rescue missions to operate freely in disaster areas, chose to kill army troops on a humanitarian mission. The soldiers from the Army’s 56th Infantry Battalion were attacked by about 80 rebels in Barangay Pasong Callos, San Rafael.
The public is taking note of the heroism of the engineers, rescue workers and combat soldiers amid charges of corruption involving mainly ranking generals and colonels.
In the past few weeks, scandals have rocked the military from Baguio City to Georgia, USA. Most of the accused were graduates of the Philippine Military Academy.
Most of the members of the Armed Forces come from poor and middle-class families with varying levels of education. They chose to enlist and serve in the military for career and professional reasons. Many are 20-year veterans and a great number are re-enlistees.
Suffering from low pay, poor combat gear and often substandard weapons, they have struggled—across the decades—to quell a communist insurgency, Muslim secession and domestic terrorism. In between these wars, they have taken part in peacekeeping missions overseas and performed guard duty in Metro Manila on summons by the national government.
And they have risen splendidly to lead relief and rescue operations in weather-battered communities in Central and Southern Luzon. Working tirelessly and courageously, the Army, Navy and Air Force emergency and rescue workers have redeemed the generals and returned the sheen to the uniform.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2004/d...041205opi1.html
Sunday December 05, 2004
EDITORIAL
Soldiers redeem their generals
IN their hour of darkness, Filipino troops showed the real stuff of the professional soldier.
Army, Navy and Air Force units are working 24 hours a day in many parts of Central Luzon to rescue civilians victimized by recent typhoons, retrieve the dead and rebuild properties.
In San Rafael, Bulacan, 10 soldiers on a mission of mercy were killed in an ambush by New People’s Army guerrillas.
The entire Armed Forces is on alert to deploy troops in any part of the country visited by storms to stave off hunger, distribute clothing and medicines, pull out the stranded and return basic services to far-flung communities.
The Naval Special Warfare Group is busy rescuing and evacuating victims in several towns in Quezon. Philippine Navy ships are delivering relief goods to stranded families.
Members of the Army engineering battalion teams, the development arm of the military, are busy repairing roads and bridges, rebuilding homes, fixing communications facilities and restoring normalcy in typhoon-struck towns and cities.
Men of the 505th Search and Rescue Group and the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing of the Philippine Air Force are saving lives, retrieving the dead and rescuing farm animals in Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Bulacan.
On Wednesday, communist insurgents ambushed and almost wiped out an entire Army platoon sent to rescue victims of typhoon “Winnie” in San Rafael, Bulacan.
Ten soldiers were killed and six wounded in the heartless attack. The guerrillas, instead of helping the masa or allowing government rescue missions to operate freely in disaster areas, chose to kill army troops on a humanitarian mission. The soldiers from the Army’s 56th Infantry Battalion were attacked by about 80 rebels in Barangay Pasong Callos, San Rafael.
The public is taking note of the heroism of the engineers, rescue workers and combat soldiers amid charges of corruption involving mainly ranking generals and colonels.
In the past few weeks, scandals have rocked the military from Baguio City to Georgia, USA. Most of the accused were graduates of the Philippine Military Academy.
Most of the members of the Armed Forces come from poor and middle-class families with varying levels of education. They chose to enlist and serve in the military for career and professional reasons. Many are 20-year veterans and a great number are re-enlistees.
Suffering from low pay, poor combat gear and often substandard weapons, they have struggled—across the decades—to quell a communist insurgency, Muslim secession and domestic terrorism. In between these wars, they have taken part in peacekeeping missions overseas and performed guard duty in Metro Manila on summons by the national government.
And they have risen splendidly to lead relief and rescue operations in weather-battered communities in Central and Southern Luzon. Working tirelessly and courageously, the Army, Navy and Air Force emergency and rescue workers have redeemed the generals and returned the sheen to the uniform.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2004/d...041205opi1.html
Kampilan - December 5, 2004 04:33 AM (GMT)
Hooah to the enlisted personnel and of course the mostly junior officers leading them. :armywink:
| QUOTE |
| Ten soldiers were killed and six wounded in the heartless attack. The guerrillas, instead of helping the masa or allowing government rescue missions to operate freely in disaster areas, chose to kill army troops on a humanitarian mission. The soldiers from the Army’s 56th Infantry Battalion were attacked by about 80 rebels in Barangay Pasong Callos, San Rafael. |
And to the Neps, this incident was a tactical victory for you but strategically, you are all toast. :demon:
Bb. Makati - December 5, 2004 05:47 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
| And to the Neps, this incident was a tactical victory for you but strategically, you are all toast. |
Couldn't agree more Kamp.
SharFshuTzeN - December 5, 2004 07:32 PM (GMT)
"Ah! The generals! They are numerous but not good for much!" - Polybius
horge - December 6, 2004 12:21 AM (GMT)
May those soldiers rest in peace, and God keep their families in safety, faith and comfort. For the cowardly ambushers, I might wish the worst possible torture, for them and ALL their kin before a drawn-out death... but I'm Catholic.
The NPA is running a crystal meth industry somewhere in San Rafael.
Ask anyone familiar with the area ---nagkalat ang droga diyan sa San Rafael.
It used to be two groups doing it, and paying a very juicy 'revolutionary tax' to the NPA, but now it seems that while those pioneering individuals are still involved, it is the NPA that's running things directly. If only those increasingly-marginalized (but still richly profiting) drug groups weren't so close to certain folk in Congress, the PNP, and at the LGU level, matagal na sanang naubos 'yang mga NPA sa Bulacan.
:grrr:
The NPA is running a crystal meth industry somewhere in San Rafael.
Ask anyone familiar with the area ---nagkalat ang droga diyan sa San Rafael.
It used to be two groups doing it, and paying a very juicy 'revolutionary tax' to the NPA, but now it seems that while those pioneering individuals are still involved, it is the NPA that's running things directly. If only those increasingly-marginalized (but still richly profiting) drug groups weren't so close to certain folk in Congress, the PNP, and at the LGU level, matagal na sanang naubos 'yang mga NPA sa Bulacan.
:grrr:
IPSCrules - December 6, 2004 02:28 AM (GMT)
They are trying to copy tehh Colombians aeh.
flipzi - December 7, 2004 02:03 AM (GMT)
That's against the idea of protecting the Filipino people.
They'll risk turning their countrymen into drug addicts just to get the money they needed to finance their rebellion.
No wonder they are losing the sympathy of the masses. :exactly:
Weird! :armycry:
They'll risk turning their countrymen into drug addicts just to get the money they needed to finance their rebellion.
No wonder they are losing the sympathy of the masses. :exactly:
Weird! :armycry:
saver111 - March 8, 2006 11:23 AM (GMT)
Soldiers to teach computers to kids in Sulu
By Roel Pareño
The Philippine Star 03/08/2006
ZAMBOANGA CITY — The military will deploy soldiers in Sulu’s remote areas, known havens of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf, to teach computers to students and teachers.
Armed Forces Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Gabriel Habacon issued the directive to ensure that the gains achieved during the two-week Balikatan humanitarian mission here will not go to waste.
During the RP-US exercise, the US forces along with the Philippine military engineers constructed school buildings and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and non-government organization equipped it with dozens of Internet-connected computer units.
Ironically, none of the teachers or any of the students in Panamao and Maimbung towns is computer literate.
Habacon said none of the government employees would dare to go to the remote areas because of terrorist threats.
"We have to ensure that all the gains we have won will be protected and be utilized in developing this countryside," Habacon said in his visit to Maimbung.
"I directed the soldiers to train the students to be computer literate," Habacon said.
This will not be the first time the military have engaged in the soft war against terrorism through education.
Elements of the 3rd Marine Brigade in Patikul have also acted as soldier-teachers in many villages that were described as impenetrable by regular teachers due to fear of kidnapping by the Abu Sayyaf.
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200603089905.htm
And they will get more information from the net..., just hope productive ones.
By Roel Pareño
The Philippine Star 03/08/2006
ZAMBOANGA CITY — The military will deploy soldiers in Sulu’s remote areas, known havens of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf, to teach computers to students and teachers.
Armed Forces Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Gabriel Habacon issued the directive to ensure that the gains achieved during the two-week Balikatan humanitarian mission here will not go to waste.
During the RP-US exercise, the US forces along with the Philippine military engineers constructed school buildings and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and non-government organization equipped it with dozens of Internet-connected computer units.
Ironically, none of the teachers or any of the students in Panamao and Maimbung towns is computer literate.
Habacon said none of the government employees would dare to go to the remote areas because of terrorist threats.
"We have to ensure that all the gains we have won will be protected and be utilized in developing this countryside," Habacon said in his visit to Maimbung.
"I directed the soldiers to train the students to be computer literate," Habacon said.
This will not be the first time the military have engaged in the soft war against terrorism through education.
Elements of the 3rd Marine Brigade in Patikul have also acted as soldier-teachers in many villages that were described as impenetrable by regular teachers due to fear of kidnapping by the Abu Sayyaf.
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200603089905.htm
And they will get more information from the net..., just hope productive ones.
saver111 - June 7, 2006 12:03 PM (GMT)
Military to build makeshift classrooms
President Arroyo on Tuesday ordered the military to built makeshift classrooms to ease an acute shortage.
“I have instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, through their engineering units, to coordinate with education officials on the construction of makeshift classrooms on overpopulated schools and those affected by the on-going rehabilitation of school buildings,” she said in a statement.
"Education is a flagship concern of this administration. We will not stop until we can deliver all available resources to build more classrooms led by competent teachers, and with better books, facilities and modern tools of learning," she added.
On Monday, as 20 million students began the school year, Mrs. Arroyo acknowledged that there were "perennial problems" in the education system.
Many children were crammed into gymnasiums, open spaces and even public bathrooms on the first day of classes, reports said.
Mrs. Arroyo earlier applauded government agencies and local government units for a peaceful and well-regulated opening of classes.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=40911
Better late than never. As usual, our gov't on the "Band Aid" solution. This should have been a long term planning. Feasibility studies of what is in store for the next year before budget should be finalized and released.
As for the AFP, the same preparation should have been made for contingencies like this. The AFP's Corps of Engineers. should have the technology and materials for pre-fabricated buildings. Easily deployable in a short notice in case of emergencies. Designs that can be utilized for schools, hospitals, barracks, outposts, etc. Similar to bailey bridges, readily available and can be assembled in a short time regardless of length and size.
I've been in KSA for 3 years and worked in a hospital that is made by pre-fab materials. The technology was brought in by the U.S. COE who helped designed the base. Our housing facilities were made from pre-fab materials. It is modular type that can be assembled depending on the needs. Materials are in standard forms like legos. Seen those designs by Vazbuilt in one of the exhibits, something like that can be used but of light materials. The U.S. COE and civilian contactors exchanges ideas that can be used by both parties.
As for desks and other equipments this can be made from projects of vocational schools. LGU's, AFP and NGOs providing free training can ask for donors for materials. To save on materials, design should be on standard form. Summer classes can be held so those projects can be distributed timely for school opening.
President Arroyo on Tuesday ordered the military to built makeshift classrooms to ease an acute shortage.
“I have instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, through their engineering units, to coordinate with education officials on the construction of makeshift classrooms on overpopulated schools and those affected by the on-going rehabilitation of school buildings,” she said in a statement.
"Education is a flagship concern of this administration. We will not stop until we can deliver all available resources to build more classrooms led by competent teachers, and with better books, facilities and modern tools of learning," she added.
On Monday, as 20 million students began the school year, Mrs. Arroyo acknowledged that there were "perennial problems" in the education system.
Many children were crammed into gymnasiums, open spaces and even public bathrooms on the first day of classes, reports said.
Mrs. Arroyo earlier applauded government agencies and local government units for a peaceful and well-regulated opening of classes.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=40911
Better late than never. As usual, our gov't on the "Band Aid" solution. This should have been a long term planning. Feasibility studies of what is in store for the next year before budget should be finalized and released.
As for the AFP, the same preparation should have been made for contingencies like this. The AFP's Corps of Engineers. should have the technology and materials for pre-fabricated buildings. Easily deployable in a short notice in case of emergencies. Designs that can be utilized for schools, hospitals, barracks, outposts, etc. Similar to bailey bridges, readily available and can be assembled in a short time regardless of length and size.
I've been in KSA for 3 years and worked in a hospital that is made by pre-fab materials. The technology was brought in by the U.S. COE who helped designed the base. Our housing facilities were made from pre-fab materials. It is modular type that can be assembled depending on the needs. Materials are in standard forms like legos. Seen those designs by Vazbuilt in one of the exhibits, something like that can be used but of light materials. The U.S. COE and civilian contactors exchanges ideas that can be used by both parties.
As for desks and other equipments this can be made from projects of vocational schools. LGU's, AFP and NGOs providing free training can ask for donors for materials. To save on materials, design should be on standard form. Summer classes can be held so those projects can be distributed timely for school opening.
saver111 - October 4, 2006 10:32 AM (GMT)
On call for calamities
There was one group that worked quickly, efficiently and with discipline to clean up the mess left behind by typhoon "Milenyo": members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The soldiers sawed off large branches and chopped down fallen trees that were obstructing roads or dangling precariously from their roots. In areas outside Metro Manila that were devastated by the typhoon, AFP members also carried out what they have always done during disasters: rescue and relief work.
These are among the principal functions of a peacetime army. Trained for disciplined, coordinated action, used to working even under the harshest conditions and in the most inhospitable terrain, soldiers are well-suited for disaster relief operations. The AFP, however, is stretched thin. Already undermanned, its members not only are engaged in peacetime military operations but must also fight enemies of the state: Islamic extremists and communist insurgents. In conflict areas, military engineers and personnel are also the ones undertaking development projects.
The AFP has had to risk the ire of bratty politicians by pulling out soldiers serving as bodyguards of VIPs for redeployment to conflict areas. But even with all bodyguard services of soldiers terminated, the AFP can provide only so much assistance during disasters. The AFP cannot afford to pull out troops from the battlefield for relief work.
Other countries call on reservists during calamities. The country’s experience with Milenyo and previous natural calamities should prompt policy-makers to consider proposals to boost recruitment for the AFP’s reserve force. There are also proposals to revive compulsory participation in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, with amended rules and safeguards to prevent the type of abuse that led to the abolition of the ROTC. The proposal must not be dismissed outright.
Unlike paramilitary units, whose regular function is to assist the AFP in counterinsurgency operations in the countryside, reservists can be limited to purely civilian rescue and relief operations. That task is nothing to sneeze at. As we have seen during Milenyo’s rampage, even one fallen branch cleared from a blocked thoroughfare can bring immense relief to motorists. As power executives noted after the typhoon, restoring electricity would have been quicker if there were more people clearing uprooted trees and toppled electric poles. The country can use a larger reserve force with sufficient training to undertake disaster relief work at a moment’s notice.
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/news200610042601.htm
There was one group that worked quickly, efficiently and with discipline to clean up the mess left behind by typhoon "Milenyo": members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The soldiers sawed off large branches and chopped down fallen trees that were obstructing roads or dangling precariously from their roots. In areas outside Metro Manila that were devastated by the typhoon, AFP members also carried out what they have always done during disasters: rescue and relief work.
These are among the principal functions of a peacetime army. Trained for disciplined, coordinated action, used to working even under the harshest conditions and in the most inhospitable terrain, soldiers are well-suited for disaster relief operations. The AFP, however, is stretched thin. Already undermanned, its members not only are engaged in peacetime military operations but must also fight enemies of the state: Islamic extremists and communist insurgents. In conflict areas, military engineers and personnel are also the ones undertaking development projects.
The AFP has had to risk the ire of bratty politicians by pulling out soldiers serving as bodyguards of VIPs for redeployment to conflict areas. But even with all bodyguard services of soldiers terminated, the AFP can provide only so much assistance during disasters. The AFP cannot afford to pull out troops from the battlefield for relief work.
Other countries call on reservists during calamities. The country’s experience with Milenyo and previous natural calamities should prompt policy-makers to consider proposals to boost recruitment for the AFP’s reserve force. There are also proposals to revive compulsory participation in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, with amended rules and safeguards to prevent the type of abuse that led to the abolition of the ROTC. The proposal must not be dismissed outright.
Unlike paramilitary units, whose regular function is to assist the AFP in counterinsurgency operations in the countryside, reservists can be limited to purely civilian rescue and relief operations. That task is nothing to sneeze at. As we have seen during Milenyo’s rampage, even one fallen branch cleared from a blocked thoroughfare can bring immense relief to motorists. As power executives noted after the typhoon, restoring electricity would have been quicker if there were more people clearing uprooted trees and toppled electric poles. The country can use a larger reserve force with sufficient training to undertake disaster relief work at a moment’s notice.
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/news200610042601.htm
| QUOTE |
| Trained for disciplined, coordinated action, used to working even under the harshest conditions and in the most inhospitable terrain, soldiers are well-suited for disaster relief operations. |
:ssalute:
adroth - October 4, 2006 11:52 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (saver111 @ Oct 4 2006, 02:32 AM) |
| Unlike paramilitary units, whose regular function is to assist the AFP in counterinsurgency operations in the countryside, reservists can be limited to purely civilian rescue and relief operations. |
This is actually an inaccurate distinction. Paramilitary units like CAFGUs are actually counted as reservists.
| QUOTE |
| Trained for disciplined, coordinated action, used to working even under the harshest conditions and in the most inhospitable terrain, soldiers are well-suited for disaster relief operations. :ssalute: |
:agree:
epigone - November 2, 2006 12:26 AM (GMT)
Another side of the AFP is that employers seek AFP personnel. Why? One, they are very very disciplined. They can remain fastened to their seats for the whole 8 hours and oftenly twelve to fourteen hours. They do not smoke which affects work and if ever they do they do it very moderately. Unlike the commies and leftists in the workplace who are either hostile to management decisions or because of their hatred of management are promising candidates for economic sabotage, constant social butterflies moving from one desk or cubicle to another either to gossip or slander fellow-workers.Secondly, they are highly trained, educated and are skillful workers. Machinists, skillful trade union busters (Man, umuusbong palang ang kompanya. Hindi pa nakatitikim ng unang tubo, eh uumpisahan mo kaagad ng unyon. You must be crazy! "No servant is above his master"!!!!), managers whose knowledge of operations research makes them competitive in the labor market, etc.Three, their wants do not exceed their needs. Hence, they don't whine and are all contented with their pay. They do not subscribe to organizing trade unions. Fourthly, they behave responsibly. Hence, they believe that if one gets fired there must be a valid reason because the employer is not stupid go through the hassles of wrongful dismissal lawsuits unless the manager is a communist agent whose mission is to dismiss cops, their sons and daughters, intelligence officers, AFP personnel and all other personnel who sympathize with democracy and free enterprise. Lastly, they're all pro-capitalist and believe that the lesser the taxes, the more will there be investments, foreign and domestic, hence, more revenues and more money going to health care and pensions. That's what you call sanely educated. Not like the cuckoo Leftists and commies.
City Hunter - November 2, 2006 12:50 AM (GMT)
Oo nga. Wala pa akong nabalitaang Red or Leftist na tumulong mag disaster relief. Pero nakakarating sila dun sa mga disaster stricken areas. Tapos mga baliw gusto nila maging communist tayo. Samantalang sa mga interviews ko mga tamad lang ang gusto ng communism kasi di na mag-iisip at magsisipag.
israeli - November 2, 2006 05:14 PM (GMT)
^ what do you expect from them, Sir City Hunter? they are just a bunch of criminals itching to grab power. they are just as corrupt as the politicos of this country of ours. :headbang:
saver111 - December 5, 2006 12:15 PM (GMT)
AFP Corps of Engineers in action
| QUOTE |
| Philippine and U.S. military engineers joined together to build several new school buildings during BALIKATAN 2000. |
saver111 - May 4, 2007 08:31 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
| A Philippine Army doctor examines a child during the medical civic action program for villagers. |
| QUOTE |
| A Philippine Army dentist provides dental care to a young girl in a schoolroom. |
el_ramon - May 4, 2007 12:20 PM (GMT)
God bless them. this is how we win the fight.
epigone - May 4, 2007 11:59 PM (GMT)
The meek, humble lambs of the AFP. Communists? :demon:
saver111 - June 6, 2007 09:57 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
| Typhoon Xangsane Batters Philippines Sept. 29:Philippine Marines help other Government workers take part in a massive clean up. |
saver111 - September 5, 2007 01:38 PM (GMT)
AFP goes infra building in Basilan while battling Abu
09/05/2007 | 06:17 PM
Two military engineering battalions left Manila for Basilan province Wednesday to pursue a
“humanitarian invasion" hand in hand with the ongoing offensives against the Abu Sayyaf militants.
The engineers from the Navy’s 1st Mobile Construction Battalion and 355th Aviation Engineering Wing boarded BRP Bacolod City with their equipment at the Navy headquarters in Manila after they were sent off by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro.
The engineers will be helping the Department of Public Works and Highways to complete the 82-kilometer circumferential road, construction of school buildings, potable water systems, among others.
“We are going to Basilan for two missions as ordered by the President…You are there to help build the road and to fight to build the road if necessary and that is your role," the defense chief said to the troops.
Teodoro asked the military engineers to undertake the “noble and ground breaking mission" with “all your skills in judgment in diplomacy intact and in ingenuity in performing your (assigned) mission."
Teodoro told the troops to combine “restraint and gallantry; heroism and patience; vigor and tact in judgment" as he said that it is the policy of the defense and military establishment that personal security should not be sacrificed.
Basilan, a known Abu Sayyaf stronghold, is the subject of a renewed military offensive
following the July 10 ambush in al-Barkah town that resulted in the killing of 14 Marines, 10 of them beheaded and mutilated.
“We are here today in compliance with the order of her Excellency, the President, to deploy engineering battalions to Basilan and Sulu in accordance with her strategy of combining vigorous operations against lawless elements while fast-tracking, concomitant with
that operation, the development of the areas affected," said Teodoro.
It was not clear exactly when the military would be deploying more military engineers in Sulu, another stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf. Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. has said an engineering battalion would be deployed to Sulu.
In a later interview, Teodoro said the engineers would be staying in Basilan “until the circumferential road is completed or until such time as they can be properly relieved by civilian agencies." The road is already 60 percent complete but there is a need to upgrade the existing road.
On whether more engineers would be deployed to the province, the defense secretary said: “It depends on the need. As of this time, there is no need and that will depend also on the request of the DPWH."
“It (projects) will make a lot of difference because economic activities with the construction of the circumferential road will be enhanced as well as delivery of basic services will be a lot easier for all the people in Basilan and probably this would entice some people to go back to daily lives rather than either join lawless elements or the ASG or the evacuees if ever," he said. - GMANews.TV
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/59215/AFP-goes...le-battling-Abu
09/05/2007 | 06:17 PM
Two military engineering battalions left Manila for Basilan province Wednesday to pursue a
“humanitarian invasion" hand in hand with the ongoing offensives against the Abu Sayyaf militants.
The engineers from the Navy’s 1st Mobile Construction Battalion and 355th Aviation Engineering Wing boarded BRP Bacolod City with their equipment at the Navy headquarters in Manila after they were sent off by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro.
The engineers will be helping the Department of Public Works and Highways to complete the 82-kilometer circumferential road, construction of school buildings, potable water systems, among others.
“We are going to Basilan for two missions as ordered by the President…You are there to help build the road and to fight to build the road if necessary and that is your role," the defense chief said to the troops.
Teodoro asked the military engineers to undertake the “noble and ground breaking mission" with “all your skills in judgment in diplomacy intact and in ingenuity in performing your (assigned) mission."
Teodoro told the troops to combine “restraint and gallantry; heroism and patience; vigor and tact in judgment" as he said that it is the policy of the defense and military establishment that personal security should not be sacrificed.
Basilan, a known Abu Sayyaf stronghold, is the subject of a renewed military offensive
following the July 10 ambush in al-Barkah town that resulted in the killing of 14 Marines, 10 of them beheaded and mutilated.
“We are here today in compliance with the order of her Excellency, the President, to deploy engineering battalions to Basilan and Sulu in accordance with her strategy of combining vigorous operations against lawless elements while fast-tracking, concomitant with
that operation, the development of the areas affected," said Teodoro.
It was not clear exactly when the military would be deploying more military engineers in Sulu, another stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf. Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. has said an engineering battalion would be deployed to Sulu.
In a later interview, Teodoro said the engineers would be staying in Basilan “until the circumferential road is completed or until such time as they can be properly relieved by civilian agencies." The road is already 60 percent complete but there is a need to upgrade the existing road.
On whether more engineers would be deployed to the province, the defense secretary said: “It depends on the need. As of this time, there is no need and that will depend also on the request of the DPWH."
“It (projects) will make a lot of difference because economic activities with the construction of the circumferential road will be enhanced as well as delivery of basic services will be a lot easier for all the people in Basilan and probably this would entice some people to go back to daily lives rather than either join lawless elements or the ASG or the evacuees if ever," he said. - GMANews.TV
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/59215/AFP-goes...le-battling-Abu
saver111 - October 10, 2009 09:39 AM (GMT)
Soldiers donate meal allowance to typhoon victims
Inquirer Mindanao
First Posted 16:30:00 10/10/2009
Filed Under: Military, Disasters (general), Weather, Flood, Ondoy, Pepeng
DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Soldiers and civilian employees of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division here parted with their meal allowances for one day and donated relief goods to storm victims in Luzon.
The soldiers’ meal allowance totaled P38,880, Major General Reynaldo Mapagu, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, said in a press release..
“This is a time when we must unite in mitigating the effects of such calamity. Our soldiers are ready to give assistance in any way they can. The commendable deeds of our soldiers together with our civilian employees reflected the compassionate nature of Filipinos.” Mapagu said.
The civilian employees, led by Alberta Jugarap, chief of the 10th Infantry Division’s Civilian Employees Association, also turned-over boxes of canned goods and clothing to the Department of Social Welfare and Development field office in Southern Mindanao.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/...typhoon-victims
Inquirer Mindanao
First Posted 16:30:00 10/10/2009
Filed Under: Military, Disasters (general), Weather, Flood, Ondoy, Pepeng
DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Soldiers and civilian employees of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division here parted with their meal allowances for one day and donated relief goods to storm victims in Luzon.
The soldiers’ meal allowance totaled P38,880, Major General Reynaldo Mapagu, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, said in a press release..
“This is a time when we must unite in mitigating the effects of such calamity. Our soldiers are ready to give assistance in any way they can. The commendable deeds of our soldiers together with our civilian employees reflected the compassionate nature of Filipinos.” Mapagu said.
The civilian employees, led by Alberta Jugarap, chief of the 10th Infantry Division’s Civilian Employees Association, also turned-over boxes of canned goods and clothing to the Department of Social Welfare and Development field office in Southern Mindanao.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/...typhoon-victims
saver111 - October 23, 2009 01:03 PM (GMT)
Rescuers from Philippine Air Force prepare their inflatable boat as typhoon Lupit approaches Laoag, Ilocos Norte, northern Philippines, October 23, 2009. Typhoon Lupit, which means "fierce" in Filipino, weakened and slowed down as it moved closer to Northern Luzon. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES DISASTER ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY)
Rescuers from Philippine Navy prepare as Typhoon Lupit nears Laoag, Ilocos Norte, northern Philippines October 23, 2009. Typhoon Lupit, which means "fierce" in Filipino,weakened and slowed down as it moved closer to Northern Luzon.
REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)