The Philippine Army (PA) created a new advisory group that would assist them in their pivot to external security operations and modernization program.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido spearheaded the first-ever meeting of the newly-formed PA Strategic Advisory Council (SAC) in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Thursday, Feb. 27.
The meeting was also attended by Col. Benjamin L. Leander, Army assistant chief of staff for plans; Dr. Isabel “Isa” Cojuangco-Suntay, co-founder of the Tarlac Heritage Foundation; lawyer Karen Olivia Jimeno; and career diplomat Henry S. Pensurto Jr. among others.
Galido and the Army advisors discussed a “redefined focus” of the Council on key reform areas essential for “PA’s operational and organizational efficiency, effectiveness, and modernization,” said PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala.
“The new council enables its members to concentrate on their advisory role and encourages broader engagement. It also replaces the PA Multi-sectoral Advisory Board (MSAB) which was formed in 2011 and has served as a cornerstone in the Army’s journey towards genuine reform and transformation,” Dema-ala shared.
Galido expressed confidence that the expertise and the strategic advice that will be provided by the council members will further enhance the Army’s capability to address emerging threats amid the fast-changing security landscape.
Under the leadership of Galido, the Army has prioritized key reforms in logistics management, education and training, human resource, and healthcare development to address emerging security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has embarked on a P3-trillion, 10-year defense spending under the “Re-horizon 3” modernization program.
For the Army, it aims to procure mid-range capability (MRC) missiles to boost the country’s external defense, particularly in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).