“We have leveled up
the capability of the ground troops in so far as internal security is
concerned and that is why we have to fill in that gap which is being
mandated in the 2009-2010-2011 projects as part of the medium term
plan”, he clarified.
Oban said that there
is transition to territorial defense most particularly in the
Philippine Navy (PN) by procuring new equipment for maritime security
(i.e. strategic ceiling & logistics vessels, coast watch system radars
installed in the ground to detect and monitor the movements of
floating assets in the area) which is essential for an effective
surveillance system to focus the scarce resources in identified areas.
For the Philippine Air
Force, the first batch of 4 brand new combat utility helicopters will
be delivered in November and the remaining 4 is scheduled next year of
same month, Oban said.
He added that the
final batch who underwent Basic Aircraft Training has just concluded.
The Philippine Army on
the other hand will soon have a night fighting system within the year,
he said.
What has been
enumerated by Gen. Oban was part of the 11 deliverables taken from
2009-2010 programs.
When Congress approved
Joint Resolution No. 28 on December 1996 in which both the senate and
the house gave their blessings to Republic Act 7898 or the AFP
Modernization Act, it aims to develop the capabilities of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines to a level where it can effectively and
fully perform its constitutional mandate to uphold the sovereignty,
and protect and preserve the patrimony of the Republic of the
Philippines.
The law envisioned a
professionalized armed force, as well as “the acquisition and
upgrading of appropriate technology and equipment” to bring the AFP
into the 21st century.
Overall, the
modernization program has different components like force
restructuring and organizational development; capability, material and
technology development; bases/support system development; human
resource development; and doctrines development consistent with the
national defense objectives and strategic priorities.
Gen. Oban clarified
that the AFPMP changed its priorities particularly in 1997 when the
country was affected by Asian financial crisis. The program was no
longer realistic as an implementation tool, so the government has to
modify its approach in order to combat the increase of insurgents in
the area.
At present, the AFP
particularly the Philippine Army is intensifying its campaign on
internal peace and security plan “Bayanihan”.
In his visit to the
8th Infantry Division, he acknowledged the concept used by MGen. Mario
F Chan especially when its accomplishments was manifested in the 2011
first semester cited by OG3 (Operations) as best performing division
in the country, with 36 encounters, 46 firearms recovered, 22 enemies
neutralized, 2 brigades in top 5 and 2 battalions in top 10.
“Sa pag-iikot ko sa
magkaibang division with the Secretary of National Defense, wala
kaming nakitang magkaparehong campaign plan. In a unified command,
kanya-kanyang diskarte yan, Oban said.
He added that the
Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan is universal,
applicable and its approach depends on the commander’s creativity and
strategy.
