IN his first command conference with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) held on Monday, President Benigno Aquino III ordered the military to crush enemies of the state while adhering to international human rights regulations.
The modernization of the AFP is also on President Aquino’s priority list.
But since there is lack of funds, the President is studying proposals to lease 130 hectares of land under by the AFP.
Aquino said the modernization should go along with the payment of benefits to families of soldiers killed in the line of duty and the recruitment of new soldiers.
The commander-in-chief also gave an advice to military officers who may have been demoralized by the major revamp at the AFP.
Aquino said any complaint should be brought to the AFP’s grievance system.
The past administration was hounded by allegations its security forces were involved in human rights abuses.
The new administration wants to change that image, believing the AFP can achieve victory over its enemies by upholding human rights. (PIA-Bohol)
