AFP: Plan to reduce infantry won't affect security operations

MANILA, Philippines - The military yesterday gave assurance that the plan to reduce its infantry and marine battalions would not disrupt its security operations.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. confirmed that a restructuring plan is in the works but stressed that time would be allotted for a smooth transition.

“The Force Restructuring and Organizational Development (FROD) is part of the effort to allow the organization to further perform its mandate effectively and efficiently,” Burgos told The STAR.

“We do not just deactivate units in the military. There is ample time given for transitions which include the transfer of task and responsibilities, adjustments of campaigns and support plan,” he added.

Burgos said the FROD is one of the five components of the AFP Modernization Program.

The other components are human resource development, capability materiel and technology development, doctrine development and bases and support systems development.

“Any deactivation and reorganization of AFP units is based on a thorough and comprehensive study, the outcome of which is for the greater good and benefit of the organization,” Burgos said.

He said efforts would be undertaken to ensure that the organizational changes would not have any adverse impact on their security plan.

“This is also to make sure that there is no disruption in accomplishing our mission and in the fulfillment of our mandate,” he said.

Burgos said there would be units or offices that would take over the functions of the units to be scrapped.

He stressed that the AFP will implement the policies that would emanate from the Department of National Defense (DND).

The STAR reported Monday that the DND wants to cut the number of infantry and marine battalions in the next few years as the AFP moves towards boosting its territorial defense capability.

The restructuring program aims to channel resources to priority areas like enforcing the country’s sovereign rights at the Kalayaan Island Group.

The Army infantry battalions would be slashed to 81 this year from 85 in 2011. The number of active duty battalions would be reduced gradually in the succeeding years until it reaches 54 in 2018.

The number of infantry brigade headquarters would be cut to 27 this year from 31 last year. It would be reduced further in the succeeding years until it reaches 18 in 2015.

On the other hand, the number of infantry divisions will be reduced to nine this year from 10 last year. The number of divisions would be down to six by 2015.

The DND, however, wants to form two battalions for Rapid Deployment Forces by 2015. It also wants to create one infantry battalion for peacekeeping operations this year.

The marine battalions would also be cut to 10 this year from 12 last year. Only nine marine battalions will be retained in 2013.

However, a marine battalion will be formed and would undergo retraining this year while another one will be created for peacekeeping tasks next year.

Four active duty combat groups would be reduced to two this year and will be deactivated in 2013

The Special Operations Combat Support Group will also be abolished in 2013.