Oban to submit defense reform blueprint to Aquino

MANILA, Philippines - Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. will submit to President Aquino a defense reform blueprint that is supposed to promote the efficient use of the military’s resources.

Oban said he will submit the reform plan to the President before he retires from the service in December.

“My objective is to come up with a blueprint on the table of organizations by the end of October or early November. The blueprint of programs is essential in making the AFP a professional organization,” he said during the launch of the Newsbreak book “The Enemy Within” in Pasig last Wednesday.

Oban said the inputs of state agencies like the Department of Budget and Management will be incorporated in the reform plan. He added that the blueprint will include reforms on AFP personnel management and the military’s table of organization.

“We realize that there are things we need to do aside from financial and logistic reforms. We have to look at personnel attrition, personnel management and development of uniformed personnel. We have to take a look at the trainings that affect our personnel,” Oban said.

He said the plan will also look into how the military organizes field units, the number of personnel being employed, the equipment needs, and the way resources are handled.

“It (blueprint) will have to be approved by the secretary of defense. Then we go to the table of organization. There, we would see how many people are employed,” the military chief said. “I’ll make sure that I have something to hand over to the President (before I) retire.”

The AFP’s financial system was placed under scrutiny after retired colonel George Rabusa told a Senate hearing last January that former military chiefs were given millions in send-off money upon retirement.

During his assumption as AFP chief last March, Oban vowed to launch a strong drive against corruption and to run after those involved in irregularities.