| PGMA's Statement during the Joint AFP-PNP Command Conference |
DND Conference Room, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City (04 Sept 2003) |
| I am assuming the post of
Defense Secretary for a few weeks. And I see my role as a means of leading a speedy
consolidation process. Now, let me explain what I mean by consolidation. It means: number one, strengthening the chain of command; number two, rationalizing our resources; number three, sharpening the will to fight. Let me explain each of these components of the consolidation process. Strengthening the chain of command. This means ensuring the durability of every link from headquarters to the field, from top to bottom, from combat to peacemaking. Policies must be translated into clear command directives understood up to the lowest level. The AFP must instinctively march and fight as one. Now, let me explain the second component of consolidation, namely: rationalizing our resources. Rationalizing our resources means putting these where they're most needed and where they would be most effective in the attainment of the mission. By resources, I mean both materiel and human resources. We must match soldiers, weapons and training to every specific task. We must move logistics to the field. And most of all, we must change the procedures and systems that breed corruption. The third component of consolidation that I mentioned earlier is strengthening or sharpening the will to fight. Sharpening the will to fight has to do with morale and tenacity, education and indoctrination. We need more dialogue across the echelons. Youth must be combined with experience in such a manner that everybody down the line has a stake in the mission. Every commander must take charge of the welfare of his soldiers and their families. Every commander must give his soldiers and their families quality time. Now, this is my command guidance for the AFP. For the PNP, I have a few more detailed guidelines to discuss. So, I'm not yet adjourning I take that up. But I just like to alert the media that after this there are a number of other information that Secretary Lina and General Abaya would like to share with you, and some pieces of informational material. So, just... Please just stick around. I'll just be a few more minutes on the PNP command guidance side which will... Again, will be in a session not open to the media. Thank you. |