Yes to AFP chief’s fixed term

THIS REFERS to the news article “House bill filed setting 3-year fixed term for AFP chief of staff” (News, 9/11/16).

House Bill No. 3402, filed by Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, should be immediately considered and certified urgent by President Duterte. Pimentel said, “The quick turnover of AFP chiefs of staff has become counterproductive—even somewhat disruptive.”

You can imagine that for the last 30 years there have been 28 AFP chiefs of staff, each with an average of only seven months’ tour of duty. Aside from being disruptive, the present setup is very expensive. Imagine retiring seven 4-star generals in a span of four years. It affects the AFP pension system.

At times we disregard a time-honored AFP tradition of the new AFP chief of staff visiting his troops in the field; but before he finishes visiting the troops, he is already retired. At 56 (compulsory retirement age for the AFP) with a few weeks or months left, instead of planning for the AFP, the new chief plans for his retirement at 34 (mandatory military service—PMA graduate).

The President as commander in chief of all the Armed Forces has the absolute power to terminate the service of the AFP chief of staff if he deems necessary. Planning and programing in the AFP take time, as I expressed in my letter “ROTC, cheapest source of reserve force” (Opinion, 8/26/16). Even this aspect of planning is put aside which is a vital requirement for the AFP at this present time.

I congratulate Pimentel for introducing the immediate passage of HB 3402. I am sure President Duterte will certify this bill urgent and sign it into law as soon as Congress sends it to him for approval, for the sake of the AFP and the country.

—JOEL R. HINLO, retired brigadier general, AFP, jr_hinlo@yahoo.com.ph