DND confirms plan to streamline civil-military operations units

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of National Defense (DND) yesterday confirmed plans to streamline the armed forces’ civil-military operations (CMO) battalions, saying these are meant to ensure efficiency in managing resources.

DND spokesman Peter Paul Galvez said there are proposals to transfer the functions of 10 CMO battalions to the area commands.

He said there have been discussions about the need to boost the capabilities of area commands in peace and development initiatives.

“The military is implementing IPSP (internal peace and security plan) Bayanihan and that would involve dealing with peace initiatives and stakeholders,” Galvez told The STAR in a phone interview.

“There are plans to devolve these functions (of CMO battalions) to area commands,” he added.

Galvez said those pushing for the plan thought it would be more efficient to devolve the CMO battalions’ role to area commands. He said the area commands are aware of the situation and the needs on the ground.

Galvez also confirmed proposals to move the engineering component of the Armed Forces’ National Development Support Command (NADESCOM) to the unified commands.

On Monday, The STAR reported that 10 CMO battalions and the NADESCOM would be abolished next year as part of the efforts to manage the armed forces’ resources.

A military source said the NADESCOM would be abolished within the first half of 2012. The 10 CMO units, on the other hand, would be dissolved gradually starting next year until 2013.

The CMO units and the NADESCOM are responsible for undertaking development projects in far-flung areas. These projects are meant to address the roots of rebellion like poverty and lack of access to basic services.

The source said Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin is supportive of the proposal.

The move reportedly surprised the military’s private sector partners, who think that the current set-up is effective in helping depressed areas.

“Some civil society groups are lobbying against the abolition,” the source said.

The military, for its part, neither confirmed nor denied that it is planning to dissolve the 10 CMO battalions and NADESCOM.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is continuously making improvements and changes to address the constantly changing situation and to be more responsive and relevant. We have to be dynamic,” AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said.