(PNA file photo) MANILA-Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday lauded the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for passing a resolution which states that giving in to the extortion demands or funds to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) is a violation of the country's electoral laws. "The AFP expresses the importance of issuing a promulgation which shall inform our election candidates that giving monetary contributions to the CPP-NPA-NDF as permit to campaign and permit to win fees are election offenses and grounds for disqualifications as covered by existing laws," said AFP Chief, Lt. Gen. Andres Centino, during Wednesday's send-off in Camp Crame, Quezon City of military, police and other law enforcement personnel tasked to secure the May 9 elections. Centino said the AFP had filed a proposed resolution with the poll body last year and he was pleased to note that it was included in the Comelec
(Photo courtesy of AFP) MANILA - The country's uniformed services expressed their full support to ensure that the coming May 2022 local and national elections will be peaceful and orderly. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) made the assurance during the National Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council (JPSCC) Meeting held Tuesday in Camp Crame, Quezon City. "I have given express order to all AFP units, to some I have delivered in person, to give our all-out support and ensure that Filipinos will have a safe and secure environment to exercise their right to choose their leaders," said AFP chief-of-staff and JPSCC co-chair, Lt.Gen. Andres Centino, in a statement Thursday. Joining Centino in the JPSCC meeting are PNP chief, Gen. Dionardo Carlos and PCG head, Admiral Leopoldo Laroya. The meeting included updates on intelligence, operations, civil and community relations, legal and investigati
(Photo courtesy of AFP) MANILA - Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff, Lt. Gen. Andres Centino, on Wednesday pledged support for the continued development of the Army Aviation Regiment. Centino made this pledge during his visit to the unit's headquarters in Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija where he was the guest-of-honor and speaker at the joint opening ceremony for the equipment transition training for the Bolkow BO-105 helicopter, the rotary wing transition course, and the aviator qualification course. "I am fortunate to see the dawn of aviation in the Philippine Army. Rest assured that as Chief of Staff, you will have my full support in the enhancement of your capability," Centino said. He also acknowledged the need to strengthen the Army Aviation Regiment as a complement in Army, Air Force, and Navy operations. Centino also emphasized the role of the unit in transporting Army commanders, who are expected to lead at the front and oversee the st
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Andres Centino (File photo) MANILA - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has formed an anti-corruption committee to promote transparency and accountability within the organization. During ceremonies Tuesday, AFP Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Andres Centino, said the committee would complement the AFP Office of Ethical Standards and Public Accountability (OESPA) on its anti-corruption measures, policies, and programs. "As public servants primarily mandated to protect the people and secure the state, it is incumbent upon us in the AFP to perform our duties and responsibilities with utmost integrity, accountability, and transparency," Centino said. The newly formed committee is an offshoot of the AFP's signing of the memorandum of agreement under the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission's (PACC) "Project Kasangga". The OESPA, which has primary jurisdiction over corruption and public ethical standards,
Philippine Army (PA) chief, Maj. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army) MANILA - Philippine Army (PA) chief, Maj. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. vowed to enhance the competencies and skills of Filipino troops to ensure that they are well-trained, equipped, and prepared for the challenges of fighting the "enemies of the state" and protecting the people. During his assumption as the new Army chief at the PA headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Friday, Brawner pledged to provide the necessary resources to units in the field all over the country so that they are capacitated to do their assigned tasks effectively and efficiently. He also vowed to continue the programs and accomplishments, implemented by his predecessor, Lt. Gen. Andres Centino, now the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff. "It is imperative that we pursue this thrust so that we be able to accomplish the mission that was ordered by no less than the Commander-in-Chief (Pres