The men and Women of the Philippine Army parade in front of President Benigno S. Aquino III during the 119th Founding Anniversary of the Philippine Army at the Brigadier General Tirso Fajardo Building, Headquarters Philippine Army Grandstand, Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City on Tuesday (March 22), with the theme: “Serving the People. Securing the Land.” (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)
QUEZON CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. General Eduardo Año expressed his pride on the organization’s intensified capability during its 119th anniversary.
The additional equipment to the army’s force were exhibited such as the armor assault rifles, armored vehicle, field ambulance units, light utility vehicles and radio and communication equipment.
Also on the same day, the three-month differential allowance for the officials, employees and soldiers was released as part of the implementation of Executive Order 201 or the increase in the provisional allowance of military personnel.
Because of these, the commanding general of the Philippine Army promised to be more intensive in performing their duty of ensuring peace and security in the country.
He also promised to end insurgency in the Philippines. “Makakaasa po kayo na lalo pa naming paghuhusayin ang pagganap sa aming tungkulin at paglilingkod sa ating mga mamamayan,” vowed Lt. Gen. Año.
(We assure you that we will be better in fulfilling our duties and services to our fellow people.)
Last year, more than three hundred thousand focused military operations were conducted which led to the neutralization of some members of communist party of the Philippines-New Peoples’ Army, Abu Sayyaf Group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and Maute group.
Meanwhile, President Benigno Aquino III recalled the transformation of the Armed Forces from the Martial Law Era to his mother, the late President Corazon Aquino’s administration and his own.
“Pero sa patnubay ng aking ina at maging sa ating administrasyon, talagang nanumbalik ang Sandatahang Lakas sa tamang panig kung saan kinakalinga niyo ang taumbayan. Ang sambayanan naman, ang sukli ay mas solidong pagkalinga. Kita naman po ang bunga, dahil sa pakikiisa ng taumbayan, naging mas madaling madala sa hustisya ang naglalakihang kalaban ng Estado.”
(But through the guidance of my mother and our administration, the Armed Forces was able to regain its purpose to serve the people. And the people in return cared for our military personnel. And we now see the fruits, thru people’s cooperation, the enemies of the state are now duly presented to the courts.)
Part of the anniversary’s program was the recognition of twenty personnel, civilian employees, partners and organizations who contributed to the Army’s accomplishments.
Among those who were recognized was Major General Edmundo Pangilinan, the commander of 6th Infantry division and Joint Task Force Central who was given the Gawad sa Kapayapaan award because of his continuous support to the peace initiatives of the government in Central Mindanao.
MGen. Pangilinan was thrown into the public eye during the Senate and Congress investigation of the Mamasapano incident and was blamed by the former PNP Special Action Force Chief Getulio Napeñas because of alleged delayed AFP response to SAF troopers during that time.
The Philippine Army was established on March 22, 1897 in Tejeros, San Francisco de Malabon, Cavite and Gen. Artemio Ricarte was the first captain general of the revolutionary Philippine Army. Meanwhile, Lt. General Año is the 57th commanding general of the Philippine Army.
(ROSALIE COZ / UNTV News)
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