Yearend thoughts on the AFP

Last Dec. 21, the Armed Forces of the Philippines marked its 83rd Foundation Day anniversary. There was no special observance at Camp Aguinaldo, home of the AFP. The Commander in Chief, President Duterte, was in Villamor Air Base for a Change of Command ceremony involving the Philippine Air Force (PAF). Instead of the usual parade and review that traditionally accompanies such a significant activity, the rites of renewal were held indoors. Outgoing PAF commanding general, Lt. Gen. Gerard Galileo Kintanar Jr., turned over his command to Lt. Gen. Rozzano D. Briguez, former head of the AFP Western Command based in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, making him
the 36th head of the youngest branch of service of the AFP.

What an amazing turn of events! In 1986, after the Edsa Revolution, I was appointed the 16th commanding general of the PAF. Among my early duties was to receive the incoming batch of brand-new second lieutenants from the Philippine Military Academy who had chosen the Air Force as their branch of service. It was 2nd Lt. Rozzano Briguez who received from me the PAF award for being the highest-ranking officer in his class to join the Air Force. He graduated salutatorian in the Class of 1986. The valedictorian was Gilbert Gapay, who joined the Army. Now after 32 years, I salute him as the newest chief of the Air Force.

Both Generals Kintanar and Briguez were the first captains (barons) of the cadet corps during their senior years at the academy. By coincidence, the commandant of cadets at the PMA at that time was Col. Nicasio Rodriguez, Class of 1961, who ended his military career as the 22nd PAF commanding general. Nick Rodriguez was also the baron of his class. Three class barons, three Air Force chiefs.

General Briguez hails from the province of Cebu, the son of a policeman who was shot by criminals during a security operation in Cebu City. He was 16 years old at that time. Briguez is not the first Cebuano to assume command as PAF chief, but he is the first to use the Cebuano dialect in his assumption speech. He said, “As an optimistic greeting, we Cebuanos always use the word ‘padayon.’ It means to ‘move on,’ continuing without delay what was started. The derivative words of ‘padayon’ are the cornerstones of my command philosophy: First is ‘dayunon,’ making things happen immediately and implementing programs with speed and accuracy. Second is ‘dayon.’ It is an invitation for all airmen to be rejuvenated for the journey ahead as we focus on professionalism and good governance at all levels. And third is ‘kadayung,’ a concept of togetherness emphasizing shared or collective responsibility.”

The relinquishment of command by General Kintanar has raised some problems that should be addressed expeditiously by the defense department. General Kintanar was not retired from the service, and he still has more than a year to go before compulsory retirement. At the moment, he is a three-star general officer attached, unassigned with the Office of the AFP Chief of Staff. In his speech during the turnover ceremony, President Duterte spoke of appointing Kintanar as chair of the Philippine Coconut Authority, stressing his desire to put someone of the highest level of integrity to head a corruption-prone government agency. For as long as Kintanar remains in the military service, he cannot be appointed to a civilian position. On the other hand, his continued stay in the service without any specific assignment is an awkward situation for any general officer.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is made up of three services: Army, Air Force and Navy. So far, under the present dispensation, only army generals have been appointed to the position of AFP chief of staff. Seniority no longer counts if you belong to the Air Force or the Navy, and a Davao connection is a must. Until we can overcome this tribal mentality at the highest leadership levels of the nation, we cannot consider the AFP a truly professional military organization. We shall continue to face embarrassment among allied military professionals who view with amusement our revolving-door policy on the AFP leadership: five AFP chiefs since July 2016 to the present, or a period of two and a half years.

Another cause for concern is the AFP pension system that is now burdened with so many four-star generals and assorted star-rank officers. The recent doubling of pay for AFP personnel will be reflected in the pension system years from now. All actuarial experts say the present system cannot be sustained. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is well aware of the problem. It is imperative that we come up with a fair and viable solution soon, if we are to prevent a crisis that will affect the lives of so many military pensioners.

rjfarolan56@gmail.com