GUEST COLUMNIST
By Lt. Gen. Jaime S. de los Santos
On March 22, 2023, the Philippine Army, the premier service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, celebrates its 127th anniversary. This year, the main event will be held at Camp O'Donell, Capas, Tarlac, breaking tradition from its usual location at its main headquarters in Fort Bonifacio. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will be the guest of honor and speaker.
Camp O'Donell serves as the home of the PA Training and Doctrines Command. It showcases the Army's investment in education and training, defining the proficiency and excellence of individual soldiers and the combat readiness of the army as a whole. In my book, "Command and Leadership," I emphasized the importance of cultivating the minds of our officers to prepare them for any exigencies.
Military training instills in every soldier and officer the value of military history, including the study of heroes as models of heroism and bravery. Camp O'Donell, formerly a US military facility before World War II, witnessed the infamous Death March staged by the ruthless Japanese Army, claiming the lives of thousands of Filipino soldiers and civilians. It remains a revered place of heroism and bravery, serving as a reminder and inspiration to future generations of Filipinos.
The centerpiece of any military camp is its parade ground. The PA TRADOC parade ground is named after Gen. Makabulos, a revolutionary general who led forces during the Philippine Revolution in 1898 against Spain. He liberated Tarlac and established town councils in the liberated areas. Gen. Makabulos exemplified bravery and leadership. The main headquarters is named after Gen. Manuel Yan, the former AFP chief of staff, a distinguished PMA alumnus who fought on the battlefields of Bataan and Corregidor. Their bravery under extreme conditions reflects their excellent training.
Education and training are the basic foundations that define the strength and capability of an Army to accomplish its mission. It is an indispensable investment to attain a high level of preparedness to address national security issues. As a common cliche goes, " It is better to shed sweat in training than shed blood in combat.” The true measure of an Army is the level of its fighting capabilities measured in terms of appropriate skills, a warrior's mindset, and a high level of physical fitness. These multiplier factors are the dividends generated from reasonable level of investments appropriated by the political leadership. An Army must likewise stand on a competitive level relative to its neighboring armies, especially ASEAN.
The Command Guidance of CGPA Lt. Gen. Roy Galido on education and training on its anniversary are stated in the following:
1. Sustain the development of faculties, instructors and training developers and continue to capacitate the training schools and institutions.
2. Invest in training programs that would allow interoperability with joint interagency, intergovernmental, and multi-national partners to operate in synchrony with the capabilities of its partners.
This Command Guidance highlights the ever-growing multiple roles of the Army outside of its traditional mission to neutralize armed threats. In a highly volatile situation that impinges on the political, social, and economic order, the Army must play a major role. In the light of the declining level of internal security threats, the Army must also address and get involved in operations other than wars. Military power does not only emanate from the barrel of the gun. Present day conflicts call for leadership and human resource capabilities as the more potent and lethal instruments of military power. It is a command responsibility that recognizes only competence, bravery in combat, intellectual capacity, and the unquestioned obedience to die for one's country if it need be.
At the helm of the training and doctrines command is MGen. Bergonio. He is an outstanding graduate of PMA Class 1990. An academic achiever, he distinguished himself in various military courses he attended both local and in Australia. He finished his Master of Business Administration from the University of the Philippines. He is a seasoned combat officer having occupied various major command and staff duties and responsibilities with distinction.
On its 127th founding anniversary, we respectfully recognize the incumbent Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Galido, who shoulders the responsibility to accomplish the mission and look after the welfare of the men. He embodies the Army's philosophy that only the best and brightest lead and command. Gen. Galido is a visionary leader, tested in combat and under extreme emergencies, yet compassionate and grounded in strong Christian values.
His command guidance emphasizes: “Always pray; Reliable, relevant, and responsive; Morale is paramount; Yield always.”
Congratulations, Philippine Army.
(Lt. Gen. Jaime S. de los Santos served with distinction as a military professional, 42nd Commanding Gen. Philippine Army, 1st Force Commander, UN Multi-National Peacekeeping Force in East Timor, former member, UP Board of Regents and Professorial Lecturer II (part-time), UP-Diliman.)