(PNA file photo) MANILA-The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is more than ready to counter attacks or violent activities that might be conducted by the New People's Army (NPA) in the countryside following reports that militant groups will stage protest actions on Friday. "If there are violent activities to be conducted by (the) CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA outside of Metro Manila, we are also prepared for them. As you know, we are in two modes, election mode and combat mode. Combat mode is continuous. We are going against all CPP-NPA in the countryside. (They) have lost a lot already, and soon enough we will be able to defeat them," said AFP spokesperson, Army Col. Ramon Zagala, during the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) special press conference. He also assured the public that the AFP is in "control of order" especially against the NPA". "And to those here in the urban areas, we will support t
TO THE RESCUE. Troops from the disaster response and rescue team of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao assist in the conduct of preemptive evacuation of residents in low-lying areas in Surigao City on Thursday (Dec. 16, 2021). Military units are now conducting disaster response operations in areas battered by Typhoon Odette. (Photo courtesy of Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao) MANILA - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday said its units are now conducting disaster response operations in areas badly hit by Typhoon Odette. This is being done in close coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), AFP spokesperson, Army Col. Ramon Zagala, said. "In close coordination with the NDRRMC, our disaster response operations are ongoing in areas that were and will be affected by Typhoon Odette. These include emergency preemptive evacuations, search and rescue, clearing, and transport assistance for the delivery of relief goods," Zagala
MOST TRUSTED. The AFP ranks first in the Institution Approval Scorecard of the 3rd quarter "Pahayag" survey of independent pollster PUBLiCUS Asia, Inc. conducted from October 11 to 18, with a rating of 66.73 percent. The military also topped the Institution Trust Scorecard with a rating of 49.06 percent. (Screenshot from PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. website) MANILA - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed the latest results of a non-commissioned survey where it garnered the highest approval and trust ratings among government agencies. "In its 3rd Quarter Survey involving 1,500 respondents, the AFP maintained its 67 percent total approval rating and 49 percent high trust rating," AFP spokesperson, Army Col. Ramon Zagala, said in a statement Tuesday night, referring to the results of the survey, conducted by independent pollster PUBLiCUS Asia, Inc. The survey, conducted from October 11 to 18, showed that the AFP topped the Institution Approval Scorecard with 66.73 p
SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE. A CGI of the MBDA Simbad-RC firing a Mistral surface-to-air missile (SAM). The Mistral 3 is the first-ever SAM procured by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (Photo courtesy of MBDA) MANILA - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), particularly the Navy, gets a huge boost to defend against aerial threats with the delivery of the Mistral 3 surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) of its two new frigates last October 8. AFP spokesperson, Army Col. Ramon Zagala, said Sunday night the Mistral 3 is the first ever SAM procured by the AFP that would bolster the military's capability to defend the country's territory. "The Mistral 3 SAMs will be fitted on BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) and will give the Philippine Navy (PN) a much needed defensive capability against hostile air targets," Zagala said. "With Republic Act 10349 or the Revised AFP Modernization Program signed in 2012, the AFP was able to acquire new assets that are v