New DND chief to upgrade military

CEBU, Philippines - The newly appointed Secretary of the Department of National Defense, Voltaire T. Gazmin, will focus on modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Gazmin, who visited the Central Command (Centcom) in Lahug, Cebu City yesterday, considers the aircrafts and watercrafts of the military as a serious problem.

Purchasing new aircrafts and watercrafts will help the military and this will be given priority, according to the secretary.

The AFP’s budget for this year is P5 billion but Gazmin clarified that the modernization project will cost more than 300 billion.

According to Gazmin, the modernization of the military equipment will help boost the soldiers’ morale. They also aim to end the “padrino system” within the military.

What they are doing now is to put the “right money on the right job,” depending of a soldier’s capability seniority.

“Hindi na palakasan but through merits ng ating pag propromote as we reassign sa mga command and definitely tataas ang moral ng sundalo dahil makikita nila na they are being led by forces who are capable,” said Gazmin.

 Meanwhile, AFP Chief of Staff Ricardo David Jr. stressed that military strategies are not the sole solution to the insurgency problem.

Responding to questions about the insurgency problem in Negros Island, he said addressing this would mean having good governance and people’s participation in local government.

 According to David, the Central Command has a good campaign and even cited Bohol, which has been declared free of insurgents.    (FREEMAN NEWS)