President Noynoy Aquino vowed to meet the needs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), including advancing its modernization program and providing sufficient benefits for the troops, but said he expected a lot from them in return.

In his first formal address as the country’s new commander-in- chief, President Aquino on Friday vowed to meet the needs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), including advancing its modernization program and providing sufficient benefits for the troops, but said he expected a lot from them in return.

Aquino, speaking at the change of command in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, said he expects the military to remain professional, take the lead in the government’s reform agenda, and “clean up its own backyard.”

The President presided over the turnover of AFP leadership to Lt. Gen. Ricardo David from Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa, who was earlier designated as acting military chief, in Camp Aguinaldo.

“Tell us what you need and we will give it to you, as long as they are based on principles of professionalism and utilitarianism; as long as they will benefit the whole institution, and not only the interests of a few,” he said in his "honest and straightforward" talk to the soldiers.

“If we use and allocate our resources efficiently, we will be able to improve the well-being not only of our armed forces but also that of our citizenry. With a livelier and more responsive economy, we will be able to further address your needs,” he said.

Aquino also declared that his administration would provide the military better equipment and benefits to enable the soldiers to fulfill their mandate on ensuring the nation’s stability. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin was assigned by the President to prioritize the AFP modernization program, including the recruitment of more soldiers.

“Hindi tama na ang nagmamalasakit ay kinakawawa,” Aquino said.

In exchange for his promise to modernize the military, the President said he “expects of you professionalism, integrity, discipline, valor, and hard work. You can expect the same of me.”

The military is also expected "to be the vanguard of the government’s quest to reform itself, to clean up its own backyard to serve as the model and inspiration for other government agencies," he said.

Quoting the late British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Aquino made clear he is giving military tools to do their job and hold them in highest standards "not because I doubt you, but precisely because I have the fullest confidence in all of you."

"You have done well and will do even better; I will be fair, just, and supportive. I expect you to be the same. Our people expect no less of all of us, and I know that you will further consecrate yourselves to defending our democracy, and that you will fight for our Republic, for the liberty and prosperity of our people," he said.

Aquino said the new AFP chief must have not only decisive leadership, but an innovative spirit that would drive reform in the Armed Forces.

"I ask everyone to support your new Chief of Staff, to follow the chain of command and to look forward to proud and glorious days ahead."

In the same speech, Aquino also declared plans to endorse the promotion of the senior military officers who were recently bypassed by the Commission on Appointments in the new session of Congress, that opens July 26.

“Sisiguraduhin lang natin na basta’t dumaan sa wastong proseso ang mga promosyong ito, ipapadala natin ang mga ito sa lehislatura (We will ensure that for as long the promotion went through the right process , we will send them to the Legislature),” he said.

Aquino pledged to uphold the civilians’ authority over the military, while respecting the integrity of the uniformed service. He added he would not use the promotion system in the military to advance personal interests.

At the start of his speech, he even asked Ochoa not to retire early, hinting he may be given a position for the outgoing military chief.

Ochoa replaced Gen. Delfin Bangit, an appointee of former President Arroyo who decided to retire early after he was informed he would not serve as AFP chief of staff during the Aquino administration.

David sets deadline for defeating rebs
Lt. Gen. Ricardo David on Friday assumed the post of AFP chief of staff and set a self-imposed three-year deadline to defeat communist insurgency as he announced that decimation of threats of national security will be his primary concern aside from uplifting the morale and welfare of armed forces personnel.

David, a member of the Philippine Military academy (PMA) Masikap Class 1977, thanked the President for giving him the trust and confidence to lead the military institution, even as he vowed to make sure the armed forces under his watch will continue to be instrument of public policy, subservient to civilian authority and an active and relevant institution in the process of nation-building.

“At the same time, as advocates of peace, we shall observe the primacy of peace processes. However, this does not mean being complacent. We shall remain vigilant, ready to protect the people from atrocities committed under the white flag of truce or upon the breakdown of peace talks,” said David.

But as they go about fighting threats to national security, David also reminded soldiers to always adhere to the rule of law, respect human rights and international humanitarian law, and observe the rules of engagement and use of force.

David also vowed to lead the AFP as an active and relevant institution in the process of nation-building by being responsive to the needs and expectations of the people.

"With our unparalleled determination, we will not fail our country men. The AFP shall remain an institution that the Philippine nation can be proud of," he said.

David said the AFP will also continue its efforts to uplift the morale and welfare of its personnel, saying their value and role in the military institution is beyond reproach.

According to the new AFP Chief, the living conditions of AFP personnel will improve through the implementation of projects, particularly on housing.

The announcement by David that he is setting a self-imposed three-year deadline came one day after Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said that the present administration is not setting a deadline to crush the communist rebellion.

Gazmin said the Aquino administration would prefer to “sit down and talk” with local communist rebels, adding that “the more you kill, the more enemies you create.”

AFP records show the communist insurgency reached its peak in 1987 with a strength of 25,200. As of first quarter of 2010, however, the insurgents strength has declined to only 4,742, or a 78.7 percent decrease. (Elena L. Aben)