Aquino: No more ‘butchers’ in AFP
President Benigno Aquino III. KRISTINE SABILLO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday showcased the “new face” of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) — an institution rid of butchers.
Speaking before officers and soldiers of the AFP at the ceremonial turnover of rifles in Camp General Emilio Aquinaldo, Quezon City, Aquino said the arrest of retired Army Major General Jovito Palparan and the acquisition of modern equipment bring forth a new breed of soldiers who are respected by the public.
“Noong Martes nga ng umaga, nahuli na ang isa sa mga most wanted sa Pilipinas, at ngayon ay dadaan na sa tama at makatarungang proseso, para tumugon sa mga alegasyon ng pang-aabuso laban sa kanya. Masasabi na rin po natin ngayon: Kung dati, kinakatakutan ang inyong hanay bilang mga berdugo, ngayon, ginagalang at pinagkakatiwalaan kayo bilang mga tunay na kabalikat ng sambayanang Pilipino,” he said.
(On Tuesday morning, one of the most wanted fugitives in the Philippines was arrested and will now face due process to answer accusations of abuse against him. We can now say that while in the past you were seen as butchers, now you are being respected and trusted as true partners of the Filipino people.)
Aquino said uniformed personnel will no longer need to rely on courage and resourcefulness because the government is now able to provide for their needs because of proper management of funds.
“Tinatapatan natin ng modernong kagamitan ang husay (ng mga sundalo),” he said.
(We are purchasing modern equipment to match the performance of our soldiers.)
After distributing the rifles, Aquino reminded the soldiers to take good care of the weapons and to serve their country well.
The government was able to procure 50,629 assault rifles, worth P38,402.13 each, in accordance with the AFP Modernization Program.Although P3,189,627,000 was allotted for the purchase of the rifles, only P1,944,261,591.66 was spent through public bidding. The remaining amount will be used to purchase 23,622 additional rifles.
AFP Chief of Staff General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said the last major acquisition of rifles was done between 1974 and 1987 through the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Program although some units were acquired through the United States Excess Defense Articles Program in the early 2000s.
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