Col. Ramon Zagala, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (PNA file photo) MANILA-The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday said the national and local elections were generally peaceful as Filipinos were able to cast their ballots despite some untoward incidents. "Although there are 15 election-related violent incidents, we were able to respond immediately, so we are able to stabilize the situation in those areas na medyo (quite) critical by shifting forces, and because of that, the election, natuloy (proceeded). So in all areas, natuloy yung election (the election proceeded). So our assessment as of now is (that) the election is successful through our support to the Comelec (Commission on Elections) and the PNP (Philippine National Police)," AFP spokesperson Army Col. Ramon Zagala said in an interview with reporters Monday night. Most of these election-related incidents took place in Mindanao, Zagala said, but the presence of government troops in criti
Col. Ramon Zagala, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (PNA file photo) MANILA-The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday said the national and local elections were generally peaceful as Filipinos were able to cast their ballots despite some untoward incidents. "Although there are 15 election-related violent incidents, we were able to respond immediately, so we are able to stabilize the situation in those areas na medyo (quite) critical by shifting forces, and because of that, the election, natuloy (proceeded). So in all areas, natuloy yung election (the election proceeded). So our assessment as of now is (that) the election is successful through our support to the Comelec (Commission on Elections) and the PNP (Philippine National Police)," AFP spokesperson Army Col. Ramon Zagala said in an interview with reporters Monday night. Most of these election-related incidents took place in Mindanao, Zagala said, but the presence of government troops in criti
(File photo) MANILA - The implementation of mandatory military service for Filipinos will help instill patriotism among citizens and help them contribute to nation-building efforts, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Thursday. "We welcome the proposal as this is attuned to the times while the government is faced with adversities and challenges, aligned with our aspirations for the citizenry to contribute to nation-building," AFP spokesperson, Col. Ramon Zagala, said in a message to reporters. This is in support of the call of vice presidential bet, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, for mandatory military service for all Filipinos upon turning 18. Zagala said having mandatory military service would enable the AFP to create a strong manpower base. "Rendering mandatory military service will only help us to establish a base for strong armed forces, and therefore a strong nation," he said. The Department of National Defense (DND) also expressed support for th
(Photo courtesy of Official Gazette PH) MANILA - Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday welcomed the appointment of new heads of the military's major commands. "The DND welcomes the appointment of Maj. Gen. Ernesto C. Torres Jr. as the new commander of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) Northern Luzon Command, vice Lt. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo B. Burgos Jr., and Rear Admiral Alberto B. Carlos as the new chief of the AFP Western Command, vice Vice Admiral Roberto Enriquez," Lorenzana said. Torres, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1989, is also the head of the Davao de Oro-based 10th Infantry Division and former commander of the Civil Relations Service of the AFP. He was also head of Joint Task Force Haribon and deputy commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command. Torres replaces Brig. Gen. Andrew Costelo, who assumed the post in an acting capacity after the retirement of Burgos on December 1 last year. Carlos, who i
Philippine Army chief, Maj. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. (File photo courtesy of AFP) MANILA - Newly appointed Philippine Army (PA) chief, Maj. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., has vowed to focus on taking care of the health, welfare, and morale of the troops and their families. "Itong mga tropa natin, these are the most important resource of the PA, yung tropa natin, tao (Our troops are the most important resource of the PA)," Brawner said in an interview on Tuesday. He also said he would continue to focus on developing the Army's core competency, which is warfighting, by further developing the Filipino soldier and the PA as an organization. Brawner noted that soldiers must be capacitated to finish the task given to the military by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, which is to eliminate the communist rebels by the end of his term. Brawner is the outgoing commander of the Cagayan de Oro City-based 4th Infantry Division (4ID). Under his leadership, the 4ID neutralized ranking communist comba