PNoy commends AFP’s dedication in last address as commander-in-chief

In his last address as commander-in-chief, outgoing President Benigno Aquino III on Monday hailed the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) dedication to serve the Filipino people despite the challenges and lack of military equipment. 

“Isinabuhay ninyo ang diwa ng dedikasyon gaano man kahirap ang tungkulin; ano man ang kagamitan na hawak ninyo, ni minsan hindi ako nakarinig sa inyo ng palusot o pagdadahilan,” Aquino said. 

“Bagkus lagi ninyo itong hinaharap at sinasagad ang kakahayan para gampanan ang inyong trabaho. Kaya naman po sa ngalan ng mga kababayan natin na naisalba o napanatag ang loob, maraming, maraming salamat,” he added. 

Outgoing President Aquino inspects troops for the last time as commander-in-chief pic.twitter.com/J5X36HKWCo

— Kaecee Alvarez (@kaeceealvarez) June 27, 2016

The AFP held a testimonial parade and review for Aquino at the Camp Aguinaldo grandstand as the Chief Executive is to step down from office in three days. 

Ayungin Shoal standoff

In his speech, Aquino recalled the 2014 Ayungin Shoal standoff, where soldiers had to evade Coast Guard ships of China to deliver supplies to troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre, which had been grounded in the area to assert Philippine sovereignty.

He said the Philippine Navy only had to use its “seamanship” to accomplish its mission, considering that the government’s ships and equipment was nothing compared to that of China’s.

“Ganitong tapang at paninindigan, diskarte at inobasyon ang  di dapat mawala sa ating kaisipan. Di pwedeng maging de-kahon, walang imahinasyon, at kapos sa inspirasyon ang pagtutupad ng ating tungkulin,” Aquino said.

Aquino said the AFP’s dedication was rewarded with the modernization of its equipment, which amounted to P65.89 billion in the past six years of his administration. 

He said funds for the AFP modernization more than doubled compared to the previous administrations because of the judicious spending of government money.

“Good governance is good economics,” the Chief Executive said. 

“Ang maganda, hindi lang kayo tumatanggap ng biyaya sa estado, sinusuklian niyno ito ng serbisyo,” Aquino said. 

“Dahil sa ambag ng bawat isa sa inyo, nakatatak na sa sambayanang Pilipino ang isang unipormadong sandatahan na talagang ang masasandalan at maasahan lalo na sa mga panahon ng pangangailangan,” he added.

Last order

As his last order to his troops, President Aquino said the AFP should never forget that their role is to serve and help the Filipino people.

“Kung meron man akong iiwanang habilin sa inyo, ito ay huwag niyo sanang kalilimutan ang laging itinatanong natin sa tuwing nalalagay tayo sa isang sangandaan: Paano ito nakakatulong sa sambayanang Pilipino? Kapag nasagot ninyo dito ay oo, malamang po, nasa tama kayo,” Aquino said.

Lieutenant General Glorioso Miranda, acting chief of staff of the AFP, meanwhile, said Aquino’s “tuwid na daan” or straight path of governance led to the improvement of morale of the troops.

“Kadalasan ay naninidigan na lang ang ating mga hukbo sa angking tapang at galing ng mga sundalo dahil sa kakulangan ng kagamitan,” Miranda said.

“Subalit pagpasok ng taong 2010, nagsimulang magbago ang lahat nang ito sa paglunsad ng matuwid na daan ng ating pangulo, naituwid ang baluktot, naitama ang mali at naibawi ang ating pag-asa na muling maitaas ang ating noo bilang mga sundalo,” he added. — RSJ, GMA News