Gonzales extols AFP for election role

16 May 2010

“I can’t thank you enough for performing such a good job.”

Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales yesterday thanked the Armed Forces of the Philippines for doing a very good job in the recently conducted national and local elections, the first ever automated poll in the country.

Speaking during the Change of Command ceremony of the Philippine Navy at Naval Station Jose V. Andrada on Saturday, the defense chief lauded the efforts of the men and women in uniform for “making the last election worthy of our democracy.”

“I don’t know if the nation will see this in the future. But this much I will say as your Secretary of National Defense, that the Armed Forces of the Philippines have done the best that this nation deserve when it comes to this particular aspect of our democracy. You have made the last election worthy of our democracy,” he said. “As a citizen of this nation, I would say thank you to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.”

Gonzales noted that the recent election, conducted amid fears of poll failure, was “like a bit of a typhoon that we have to prepare for.”

“The whole nation had to put all their brains and hearts together just to keep this election go in a manner that would be respected by the rest of the nation and the world,” he pointed out.

“I’m very sad to think that it has to take the lives of some of our soldiers to make this election fair and conducted in a manner that is deserved by our people,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales proceeded to pay tribute to the Armed Forces. “You are today the most important pillar in our society. Keep remembering that. And we will keep reminding our people of the importance of our Armed Forces in nation building.”

“Most important, we in the Armed Forces of the Philippines should recognize that we are actually the symbol of love of country…That in our uniform rests the symbol that is the most important sentiment that will bind our people, that will give strength to the desire of our people to have a dream and to fulfill those dreams in the future,” the defense chief said.

Gonzales said he would continue to advocate the interests of the Armed Forces beyond his current stint as defense secretary.

“Let me just give you a few parting words. One, I will volunteer as the defender, as the spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines in our body politic. And two, as a spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, I will keep reminding our people that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is composed of the best and the finest of our citizens, men and women.”

What’s wrong with preparations for AFP upgrade?—Gonzales

23 April 2010

IS the Arroyo government into “11th hour” preparations for acquisitions under the Armed Forces modernization program?

Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales’ quick answer is yes.

“Yes, we are rushing what we can still do under the AFP modernization program in our very limited time left.  Aren’t we, Filipinos, known to be good in the last two minutes?” he said.

Gonzales said the defense department, together with concerned AFP officials, has now been looking into various offers coming from some countries.

Gonzales emphasized that any deal that may possibly result from these preparations would be according to law and open to public scrutiny.

The defense and military establishments are now keen on acquiring an armor system for the army; multi-role vessels for the navy; and long-range patrol aircraft, medium lift aircraft and attack helicopters for the air force in the next two to three years, according to the defense chief.

Gonzales said pushing the AFP modernization program has always been among his top priority concerns upon his designation as defense secretary because it is very important in any national drive to build a wealthy and progressive country.

“It is not only about building our defense capability.  It is also about restoring our people’s pride in their armed forces and triggering their pride for our country. This national pride is essential in mobilizing our people for our country’s transformation from Third World to First World,” Gonzales said.

The defense chief lamented that the AFP Modernization Act of 1995 has given the military the opportunity to modernize in 15 years with a total fund of P331B but the law is already expiring this year and the AFP has so far received only P28.9B of the fund.

Gonzales said the financial condition of the country and legal constraints prevented his predecessors from pursuing the AFP modernization program in earnest. For instance, he said, notwithstanding the fund provision of the law, the defense department can only spend up to P5 billion per year from this fund.

Gonzales said President Arroyo and Congress have allowed the defense department to take greater strides this year towards AFP modernization by granting it the multi-year obligation authority (MYOA). “It is like allowing us to buy appliances on installment basis,” he explained.

Gonzales said he met with all the AFP major and other services and urged them not to waste this “golden opportunity.”

“We agreed to work 24/7 to accomplish the maximum achievable towards upgrading the country’s armed and other capabilities,” he said.

Gonzales said he asked the AFP to draw up a single, comprehensive list of equipment and weapons for priority acquisition based on the institution’s present needs to be more effective in carrying out its mandate and expanding roles.

To expedite the upgrading of the AFP and to avoid controversial biddings that attended previous acquisitions, Gonzales said he has introduced a change in the mode of procurement. Instead of dealing with private suppliers, he believes the country should get into government to government deals, particularly with reputable governments.

Gonzales emphasized that the country should achieve AFP modernization in the shortest time possible. But given the resource constraints of the country, the goal can be pursued in two phases.

The first phase, according to Gonzales, is a transitional one in which the country is phasing out from being focused on internal security and beginning to look at external defense.

“We are at this stage. We now need to upgrade our defense capability to a level that is ‘modest but lethal,’” Gonzales pointed out. He added that another consideration at present is the fact that disaster response has become an increasing part of the roles of the AFP.

“After ten years, full modernization can be pursued in earnest as the country becomes wealthy,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales believes that acquisitions for the first phase of the AFP modernization can be done in the next two to three years, but preparations can be made during the remaining months of the Arroyo government.

“This is what we are doing now,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales to AFP: Remain strong for democracy

18 April 2010

AMID the current confused political environment, fundamental institutions in the country like the Armed Forces of the Philippines must remain strong and ready to safeguard democracy.

Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales stressed this point on Friday in his welcome address to the 250-strong 85th Infantry Battalion deployed in Masbate to eradicate election-related violence and ensure an orderly and peaceful conduct of election in the province.

The defense chief received the troop at the Masbate seaport, together with AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Delfin Bangit and officials of the Independent Commission for the Dismantling of Private Armed Groups.

Gonzales emphasized the role of the Armed Forces in ensuring clean and peaceful elections in May as he reminded the soldiers that credible elections are the foundation of any democracy and peace and a working democracy are essential requirements to progress.

“Pakialaman natin ang ating eleksiyon dahil yan ang pundasyon ng ating demokrasya,” Gonzales told the soldiers, most of whom came from peacekeeping missions in Liberia and Haiti.

“Ngayon, nasa magulong pulitika ang ating bayan. Institutions like AFP must be strong… We will show to the whole nation that it is about time for the country to move forward… Panahon na para bigyan natin ng direksiyon ang ating bayan,” the defense chief said.

Gonzales told the soldiers that he was very happy for the “very good coordination” being done by the AFP, the Philippine National Police and the Commission on Elections for security preparations for the first-ever automated national election in the country. The three institutions held the day before a joint command conference in Camp Aguinaldo.
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“I am very proud of our Armed Forces. I will be your advocate now and after June 30,” Gonzales said.

“Do your duty. Clean up Masbate. Neutralize all the undesirable elements. Collect loose firearms and arrest goons,” Gonzales ordered the troop.

The 85th Infantry Battalion will reinforce the Joint AFP-PNP Special Task Force Masbate formed to address the lawlessness and political violence in the province which Gonzales had earlier described as a “terrorized community” and “in a state of man-made disaster.”

In the briefing at the Police Provincial Office that followed the welcome rites for the battalion, the Task Force Masbate reported that seven poll-related shooting incidents had occurred in the province since January 10, killing 6 persons.

With 11 identified private armed groups and at least 5,000 loose firearms, the entire province is categorized by Task Force Masbate as “election hot spot.”

It was raised in the discussion that there had also been kidnapping cases for campaign fundraising and prisoners were being used for criminal activities and probably also for partisan activities.

The deployment of the 85th IB raised the number of combined AFP and PNP personnel in Masbate to 1,847.

The Task Force Masbate’s anti-private armed groups campaign has to date resulted in the arrest of 33 persons, according to the Task Force.

Int’l defense community to watch AFP during May polls

18 April 2010

MEMBERS of the international defense community will be coming to the country to observe the conduct of the Armed Forces during the first ever automated national Philippine elections in May.

Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales made this disclosure this week during a joint command conference of senior military and police officials, together with officials of the National Security Council and of the Commission on Election, on security preparations for the May election.

Gonzales said he was inviting international observers from defense and military establishments worldwide to watch the behavior of the AFP during the election.

“I want the whole world to see how our Armed Forces will protect our election which is fundamental to any democracy,” Gonzales said.

Later, the defense chief made the same announcement in his addresses to the separate fora of battalion commanders in Mindanao and in the Visayas and in the reception ceremony for the 250-strong 85th Infantry Battalion deployed in Masbate, all also this week.

Gonzales said the President tasked him to “invite the world” to observe the upcoming election but he wants instead the international defense community to monitor the behavior of the Armed Forces during the election.

Gonzales noted that this would be a big challenge and good for the Armed Forces.

He said having international observers will foil attempts to discredit defense and military efforts to assist Comelec in ensuring honest, orderly and peaceful elections in May. The defense chief had earlier put the AFP under the full disposal of the Comelec.

“As you can see, there is really a proliferation now of groups that seek not simply to watch the conduct of our election, but to really convince our people that our Armed Forces, our police and the Comelec cannot be trusted. Well, we will prove them wrong,” Gonzales told his audiences.

“You know, when we launched People Power in 1986, we became the model in the world on how to pursue change peacefully. Now we are going to show the world that our Armed Forces, our police and our Comelec know how to conduct election. We will show the world that this nation knows how to exercise democracy at its best,” Gonzales said.

After hearing the presentations of the area commanders of the AFP and PNP on their security preparations for the upcoming election, Gonzales commended the two institutions as well as Comelec for their “very good coordination.”

“I am having a lot of very good feelings. Because I can see the very good coordination that has taken place among the AFP, the PNP and the Comelec,” Gonzales said.

The defense chief also thanked the electoral body “for trusting the AFP and the PNP.”

NDCC placing guards vs power outage during May polls

28 March 2010

AMIDST the current power crisis in Mindanao and fears of poll failure, the National Disaster Coordinating Council is taking steps to ensure that the automated elections in May will not be disrupted by power outages.

NDCC chair and Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales yesterday announced that he called a meeting of NDCC officers, including all the regional directors, today in Cebu to discuss the measures the crisis body is taking.

Gonzales said making an inventory of the current available generators in the country will be a major subject in today’s meeting.

Gonzales has earlier disclosed that NDCC is eyeing tapping privately-owned generators and positioning them, one in every cluster of precincts, during the May 10 elections. “We will be asking our people who have generators to register their generators with the NDCC so we can use them during the elections,” he said.

The defense chief noted that the Commission on Elections has already bought back up generators for the elections, but he said it is better to be redundant in contingency preparations than having nothing at all.

“Para mawala ang pangamba ng taumbayan, dadagdagan natin itong inihahanda ng COMELEC,” Gonzales said. “At sa taumbayan galling yan.”

“We cannot afford to have a failure of election. Government should exert all efforts to eliminate the possibility of failure of election,” Gonzales stressed.

Gonzales also bared that measures are being undertaken to ensure that there will be no power outage in Mindanao from May 8 to 12. To achieve this goal, the water of Lake Lanao is being preserved so that there will be enough supply for hydropower plants during the election period.

A state of calamity was declared in Mindanao earlier this month because of a severe power deficiency in the island resulting in daily brownouts that last four to five hours and ongoing for three weeks now.

Gonzales inspected some of the hydropower plants in Mindanao and held consultation meetings with the region’s key power stakeholders early this week.

Gonzales said, after his visit to Mindanao, that it is now necessary that government and the private sector study alternative sources of power for Mindanao because “suddenly, hydropower is unreliable because of El Nino.” Mindanao is 55% dependent on hydropower for its energy requirement.

Defense chief to AFP: Keep the nation together; Make RP First World

28 March 2010

EMPHASIZING the “pivotal role” of the Armed Forces in the country today, Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales in two recent occasions challenged the AFP to “keep the nation together” and to play its part in “(making) the country First World.”

“In these critical times, when our institutions are challenged and questioned, when pillars of our society are being pelted, it is extremely important that strategic institutions in the country be mindful of the responsibility and the obligation of keeping the nation together,” Gonzales said on Thursday, referring to the AFP.

Gonzales addressed colonels belonging to the Class 53 of the AFP Command and General Staff Course and the first graduates of a new masteral program on national security and development of the National Defense College of the Philippines, most of them middle-ranking military officers.

“I’m not saying this because I am the defense secretary… I have long realized the pivotal role of the AFP as an institution in the country today,” he added.

Gonzales described the Filipinos today as “confused for lack of information at that particular moment when they are being asked to choose their next president.”

On Friday, speaking in the graduation ceremony, Gonzales stressed the necessity for the Armed Forces to be very concerned about the country’s politics.

“We should never be partisan, as members of the AFP. But we should be very, very interested in the field of politics because it is one of the main reasons why we are still Third World today,” he said.

“The politics of the nation is messing us up, and we need to do something about it,” Gonzales declared.

Gonzales said it is difficult to accept that the country is still poor because “we are a nation very rich in natural and human resources.”

The defense chief said the nation should begin aspiring to become First World and he went on to point out the strategic role of the AFP in this endeavor.

Gonzales said rekindling the Filipino people’s love for their country is a fundamental requirement in building a First World Philippines, and a proud AFP is the trigger to this. Hence the need to upgrade the capabilities of the AFP, he said.

“Don’t forget that one of your fundamental duties is to march tall, putting in your mind and in your heart that you represent love of the country,” the defense chief told the graduates.

Gonzales also extolled the importance of military officials continuing to serve in government beyond active service, saying “In some of the greatest nations in the world, their bureaucracies are manned by former military officials.”

However, he noted that in the country, tapping former military officers for government service is seen unfavorably by some sectors. “When we start appointing military officers to our bureaucracy, we are saying that we are militarizing the bureaucracy. What’s wrong with that?”

“We will have to erase the distinction between military and non-military if we are to move on and build a better country in the future,” Gonzales said.

The defense chief also reminded the military officers against misinterpreting his point. “Do not think that just because the AFP is a strategic institution, you will be on top of our society. No.”

“We are trying to strengthen the AFP as an institution so that we can do better in serving our people. Remember that we are just servants of our nation,” Gonzales clarified.

Statement of Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales on Usec. Delos Reyes’ Departure from DND

25 March 2010

It is unfortunate that so much noise has been made on the recent departure of Undersecretary Ariston delos Reyes from the National Defense Department—an otherwise part of the normal process of Malacanang making appointments and terminating the same anytime it deems necessary.

Usec Delos Reyes was appointed presidential assistant upon his retirement from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and, in 2007, he was seconded to the Department of National Defense as Undersecretary for Internal Affairs, a position created for him. His tour of duty in the DND, however, reached its maximum allowable term of three years in January this year.  People in the department brought this situation of Usec. Delos Reyes to our attention and we informed Malacanang about it. Presumably because of this, Malacanang recalled his DND deployment early this month. The Palace subsequently terminated his presidential appointment.

Having an appreciation for what Usec Delos Reyes’ principled service can contribute to the accomplishment of the goals I set for my own short term in DND as Acting Secretary, I asked him to stay in the department as consultant even after his recall by Malacanang. The good Usec, however, politely begged off and told me he wanted to simply fade away.

I hope that we can all stop creating issues where there is none. The real issues and challenges confronting the DND are many and herculean enough—restoring our people’s trust in the non-partisanship of the Armed Forces, helping COMELEC ensure a peaceful and credible 2010 election, institutionalizing the country’s disaster preparedness, upgrading the capabilities of the AFP and keeping it united and with high-morale. Unnecessary noise and distractions are the least the department needs in the face of these urgent national concerns.

No poll failure, no extension plan—Gonzales

21 March 2010

DEFENSE Secretary and National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales yesterday dismissed fears of a failure of election that could possibly lead to President Arroyo’s prolonged stay in power.

“Let’s not talk about failure of election. COMELEC does not see any possibility of such occurrence, and we believe COMELEC in that,” Gonzales said.

“Government is not preparing for any failure of election because it will not happen. There is no need to do so,” Gonzales added.

The defense chief also noted that “it’s too presumptuous of the opposition to think that the military will be used to keep President Arroyo in power beyond June 30.”

“I don’t know where they are getting such ideas,” he said.

“Our term ends on June 30. We are all looking forward to a smooth transition of power on that day,” Gonzales declared.

Gonzales also expressed confidence in the Armed Forces’ determination and readiness to protect democracy and the integrity of the 2010 election.

“You know, something very good is happening to our Armed Forces and the police… I can see that they are really determined to keep our democracy safe. Wala akong nakikitang officers na nagpaplanong sirain ang kanilang institusyon,” Gonzales said.

“Kung may nakasingit man diyan, let’s see. But let’s not pre-judge our Armed Forces. Let us respect them,” Gonzales said.

On Friday, pressed by reporters in Clarkfield, Pampanga if he would follow an illegal order, he said he never thought for a moment of such a situation.

“It never occurred to me. Kasi, I know that our President will never issue an illegal order. And I will never do so myself,” he stressed.

Gonzales believes that the worst that can happen to the 2010 election is that the country will not have automated voting in 20 to 30 percent of the polling areas because of “the problems of transmission.” This problem is what government is bracing for, he said.

Gonzales made assurances that the poll body is preparing for the eventuality of incomplete automation. He also emphasized that “the Armed Forces will be there to assist the COMELEC to keep the election orderly and clean in areas where there will be problem in proceeding with automated voting.”

The defense chief maintained that the biggest threats to the integrity of the forthcoming election remain to be the extortion activities of the New People’s Army and the armed groups of many politicians.

The defense chief called on politicians with armed groups to dismantle these. “Kami sa Armed Forces at saka sa pulis, nakikiusap kami na huwag na kaming pilitin na gumamit pa ng puwersa para itigil ang kanilang armed activities.”

Acquisition of 18 new trainer jets boosts AFP modernization

19 March 2010

DEFENSE Secretary Norberto Gonzales has pushed the upgrading of the Armed Forces’ capability by reviving a US$ 13.1-million project for the acquisition of 18 new SF 260 trainer aircraft for the Philippine Air Force military pilot training.

Gonzales yesterday announced his approval of an amended contract for the supply and delivery of the aircraft by Italian company Alenia Aermacchi and its local partner, the Aerotech Industries Philippines, which is based in Clarkfield, Pampanga. The amended contract was earlier endorsed by new AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Delfin Bangit and by PAF Commanding General Oscar Rabena.

Gonzales made the announcement in his visit to the Aerotech Philippines’ aircraft parts manufacturing and assembly facility in Clarfield Freeport Zone to check on the implementation of the project under the AFP modernization program.

SF 260 aircraft parts supplied by Aermacchi will be assembled by Aerotech Philippines in Clarfield. Some parts of the aircraft will also be manufactured by the local company.

The project is expected to boost not only the AFP modernization program but also the country’s aviation industry because of its technology transfer aspect. Aermacchi is transferring its aircraft assembly and some parts manufacturing to its local partner. This means that succeeding orders that the Italian company will henceforth receive will be coming from the Philippine facility, according to Aerotech Philippines.

The contract with the Italian company also involves integrated logistics package such as pilot, technical and maintenance training and after-sales support including provision of initial equipment and spare parts.

The SF 260 trainer aircraft is in service with 27 different military customers, civil professional flying schools and private operations worldwide with almost 1000 units in flight operations, according to Aerotech Philippines. Aside from the PAF, Aermacchi’s other latest customer is the Italian Airforce which acquired 30 SF 260 jets to upgrade its own fleet.

In his message after the project visit, Gonzales underscored the importance of upgrading and modernizing the country’s armed forces.

He said it is not only about building the country’s defense capability, but also about “triggering national pride by making the people proud of their armed forces, which are the ultimate symbol of their love for their country.”

“Making our people proud of the armed forces and of our country is essential in mobilizing them for national transformation.  We need to make the transformation from Third World to First World,” Gonzales said.

AFP modernization now possible—Gonzales

THE DEFENSE and military establishments are working 24/7 to jump-start the long-dreamed-of modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines now that it is already possible.

Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales made this announcement on Friday during the Philippine Army change of command ceremony in Camp Bonifacio which he presided.

Gonzales said President Arroyo and Congress had made the modernization of the country’s armed forces now possible by granting “multi-year obligation authority (MYOA)” to the defense department.

“The President tasked me to work for the AFP modernization in earnest. We will begin it now. We will work to immediately upgrade our armed capability,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales said the modernization program can be pursued in two phases. The first phase is an interim one in which the country’s defense capability will be upgraded to a level that is “modest but lethal” and “can trigger our people’s national pride.”

“After ten years, full modernization can be pursued in earnest as the country becomes wealthy,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales believes that the first phase of the program can be done in two years and preparations for it can be made during the remaining months of the Arroyo government.

“We can even start the acquisition within our term if we really work 24/7,” the defense chief said even as he asked the military establishment “not to waste the golden opportunity that the President has given us.”

The AFP Modernization Act of 1995 has given the military the opportunity to modernize in 15 years with a total fund of P331B. However, only P28.9B of that amount has been utilized to date by the AFP. The modernization law is expiring this year.

Without the multi-year obligation authority, the defense department can only spend up to P5 billion per year from the modernization funds.

Gonzales emphasized the importance of modernizing the armed forces to the transformation of the country from Third World to First World.

“Modernizing our Armed Forces is not only about capability building.  It is also about rebuilding our respectability in the community of nations and in the eyes of our own people.  The AFP being the ultimate symbol of our love for our country, making it respectable is important in triggering our national pride, and national pride is essential in mobilizing our people for our country’s transformation from Third World to First World,” Gonzales said.

To expedite the implementation of the modernization program, Gonzales said government will change its mode of procurement. Instead of dealing with private suppliers, this time it will only get into government to government deals to do away with controversial biddings.

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