GUEST COLUMNIST

By Lt. Gen. Aurelio B. Baladad (Ret)

The Philippine Army (PA) marked its 127th anniversary last March 22, 2024, in Camp O’Donnell in Capas Tarlac. A year ago, during the 126th PA anniversary in Fort Bonifacio, PBBM issued a directive to be “fully prepared and capable for any contingencies” as the last line of defense against any security threat. Since a year has passed, let’s march towards the Army’s progress during this period. 

The Army is evolving fast into a credible defense force. Vital to its mission is reducing insurgency and terrorism to an insignificant threat. To this end, the Army is pursuing partnerships, engagements with society, and intelligence-driven operations. Exceptional progress has been observed in this endeavor as evidenced by 422 communist terrorists neutralized between the start of the year and March 14, 2024.

Accepting the value of strategic partnerships, the PA is at the forefront of accelerating collaboration and cooperation as a key element in dealing with mutual threats. To acquire knowledge and expertise from other nations’ experiences, combined exercises and training events were held. From April 11 to April 28, 2023, 5,400 Armed Forces of the Philippines (PA included), and 12,200 US military personnel conducted the Balikatan 2023. This further advanced the interoperability and capabilities of the Allied forces.  Bilateral Command Post Exercise (CPX) to expand the Allies' collective capacity in force planning, coordination, and command and control was drilled. Supplementing the CPX are the Field Training Exercises in the areas of amphibious operations, information and intelligence sharing, logistics, and combined arms live-fire to name a few. 

The Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) is the keystone to the defense of the country. Its goal is to secure our sovereignty and guarantee that our people have access to our natural resources. Sec. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. explained this as building our capacity to safeguard and defend our entire territory and exclusive economic zone so that our people and all future Filipino generations can freely gain and benefit from the earth’s bounty that is rightfully within our domain. This goal stresses how crucial the task of protecting our nation’s resources which may dictate the use of force when needed. 

To pursue the CADC implementation at the Army level, a very commendable initiative was introduced by Lt. Gen. Roy M Galido PA, Commanding General of the Philippine Army. The Combined Arms Training Exercise (CATEX) “Katihan” was planned and then implemented in early March 2024. The purpose of CATEX “Katihan” is to test the capability of the Army to move, maneuver, and sustain forces during combat operations in support of the CADC. The CATEX involved around 5,000 soldiers in the first-ever large-scale exercise that involved moving Army forces not only from Luzon but also from Visayas and Mindanao. The Army’s capability in mobilizing its forces for combat operations was tested and gave the chance for our Army units to practice, improve, and assess their performance and interoperability with the different combat arms to effectively achieve mutually harmonizing impacts in their actions. During the CATEX, the full integration and synchronization of all warfighting tasks were tested in a controlled but realistic environment.

To arm our warriors with capabilities to confront the requirements of present-day warfare, varied combat power factors were added, and real-world situations were acted out. Furthermore, the incorporation of newly acquired armaments in the CATEX such as the upgraded Infantry Fighting Vehicle (Armored Personnel Carrier with Remote Controlled Weapons System) and the Sabrah ASCOD Light Tank are examples of the Army’s modernization programs which will advance the capability to counter emerging threats and improve operational effectiveness.

Great strides are made by the PA in boosting a viable defense. Terrorism and insurgency risks are shown to be minimized via intelligence-focused operations and increased engagements with the community. Moreover, its participation in joint and combined operations with other nations such as the Balikatan 2023 enabled its acquisition of new and improved skills and knowledge in warfighting techniques, tactics, and procedures. Through the PA-initiated CATEX “Katihan,” it practiced its role in the CADC which enhanced its combat preparedness and showed commitment to defending the nation’s borders and resources.

Even though notable improvements were achieved a year after PBBM’s directive, sustained investment in its soldiers and materiel is needed. To maintain our current level of development, this should be complemented by continuous conduct of joint and combined operations with the air and naval forces as well as with the Allied forces. 

Following its values of honor, patriotism, and duty, the Philippine Army will keep marching forward with its head held high confident that it can overcome any obstacle to ensure a better future for future generations. More glory to the Philippine Army on its 127th anniversary! May their outstanding legacy last for many more generations.

(Lt. Gen. Aurelio B. Baladad (Ret) served as the 8th commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, the 32nd commander of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, and the former deputy chief of staff for Operations, J3 of the AFP. He is now the VP for cooperative planning and marketing of PAFCPIC, a cooperative serving the active and retired AFP personnel.)