GUEST COLUMNIST By Lt. Gen. Jaime S. de los Santos, AFP (Ret) The West Philippine Sea has long been a crucible of competing territorial claims and geopolitical tensions. The recent official statement by Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. adds a new chapter to the ongoing...
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...
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...
GUEST COLUMNIST By Lt. Gen. Aurelio B. Baladad (Ret) The recent Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Alumni Homecoming unfolded with the weight of tradition and the promise of the future, in the heart of Baguio City on Feb. 17, 2024. On this day, cadets, awardees, alumni, and their families...
GUEST COLUMNIST By Lt. Gen. Jaime S. de los Santos, AFP (Ret) Last Saturday, Feb. 17, the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) welcomed its alumni for the Annual Alumni Homecoming. This event congregates Cavaliers from across the nation and the world to their esteemed alma mater for a day of...
GUEST COLUMNIST By Lt. Gen. Aurelio B. Baladad (Ret) A violent history of strife describes the peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) representing the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and...
GUEST COLUMNIST By Lt. Gen. Jaime S. de los Santos, AFP (Ret) The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) plays a pivotal role in ensuring the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. As an institution, it operates under the mandate provided by the Philippine Constitution, which not...
GUEST COLUMNIST By Lt. Gen. AURELIO B. BALADAD (Ret) Happy New Year! As we face the New Year, corruption is a big problem plaguing our country and people are talking a lot about it. But instead of just saying it's there, let us talk about ways to stop it and check out what Baguio City...
GUEST COLUMNIST By Lt. Gen. Jaime S. de los Santos, AFP (Ret) As nations worldwide grapple with the challenges posed by conflicts, the recent Israeli-Hamas war serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of having a robust reserve force. Initiated on Oct. 7, 2003, when Hamas...
GUEST COLUMNIST By Lt. Gen. AURELIO B. BALADAD (Ret) The WPS is a battleground of international tensions, where overlapping territorial and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) claims have sparked disputes among neighboring nations. Amidst this complex geopolitical landscape, the Philippines is at...
BARRACKS AND STRATEGY By LT. GEN. JAIME S. DE LOS SANTOS, AFP (RET) President Jose Ramos Horta of Timor Leste conducted an official visit to the Philippines from Nov. 9 to 11, 2023. I had the privilege and opportunity to engage with him during the luncheon hosted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr....
GUEST COLUMNIST By Lt. Gen. Jaime S. de los Santos, AFP (Ret) On Sept. 6, 2023, Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong took the stage as the guest speaker for the National Issues Committee of the Management Association of the Philippines. The focal point of his address was the decline in the quality...
