It gives me unparalleled pleasure to be in the company of distinguished Rotarians from the first-ever and largest Rotary Club in the Philippines and the whole of Asia; what else but the Rotary Club of Manila. My pleasure is rooted in the thought that at this moment, I am in the midst of professionals who are known for their service and concern for the less privileged sector of our society. I stand here buoyed with pride, for seldom is a man-in-uniform called to speak before an august body like this.
Being with an organization like yours that has been in the business of rendering service for 82 long years, humbles me so much. As I am humbled, however, so am I awed. Indeed, I cannot help but admire your long history of success, your dynamism and your steadfast commitment to the Rotary ideal of "Service above Self". Year after year, you build on the service already given and the lessons already learned. It is apt, indeed, that your symbol is the ever-revolving rotary wheel.
With your dynamism and commitment to service in mind, I am reminded of a simple story. There was once a Rotarian collecting funds for a worthy cause. The said Rotarian, however, was turned down by a curt letter that ended and I quote: "As far as I can see, this Rotary business is one continuous give, give, give." Unquote. But then, the Rotarian wrote back, and I quote, "Thank you for the best definition of Rotary I have ever heard." Unquote. Indeed, I believe that Rotary's meaning is "to give", and for this reason, I am proud to be with you today.
My pride is made more profound by the thought that in this sense, your armed forces and the rotary are the same.
They say that what makes you Rotarians is your belief that your professions are more than just a source of income or a forum for personal achievement. You see them as an unrivaled opportunity for service. The members of your armed forces are no different. We consider soldiery as our life's vocation - a rare chance to lay down all that we have, even our own lives, in the service of God, our country and our people. While we in your armed forces do service by defending our republic, safeguarding our national territory and participating in the socio-economic development of our country, we recognize that the rotary concretizes its sense of mission by undertaking countless grassroots effective campaigns, ranging from medico-surgical and eye outreach missions to educational benefit programs, environmental programs and community building. The Rotary spirit was magnified by Rotary Manila during the aftermath of the 1990 earthquake, where your club accomplished the construction of new school houses in Baguio and the repair of damaged ones, in the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, where you stood at the forefront of farmland rehabilitation efforts. And during such other times of crisis as the Taal volcano eruptions and the onslaught of countless typhoons, where you readily offered relief to our hapless countrymen. I am also aware of your admirable projects that include the "Sagip Kabataan Project" which is meant to uplift the condition of our streetchildren, the TOWER Awards which honors outstanding workers of our country and encourages excellence and productivity at the workplace, the "Clean River Zone - Isang Ilog, Isang Diwa, Isang Gawa Project", which focuses on environmental education and awareness among our youth, and the Enviroschool programme where you have chosen a deserving student to attend the Enviroschool 2000 in New Zealand.
The parallelism between your armed forces and the rotary does not end there. Both of us believe that the power, vitality, and potential of our organizations stem from Rotarians and soldiers themselves. Our greatest assets is the people who give life to our ideal of service.
Both our organizations find strength in our countless, and often nameless, members who make the AFP and the Rotary proud day after day. In connection with this, I recall the words of a Rotarian named Paulo Costa and I quote: "The strength of the most powerful armies does not rest in the hands of great generals, but in the bravery and courage of the soldiers who fight for the common cause." Unquote.
I suppose that being a general of your armed forces affords me the liberty and credibility to affirm the aforementioned statement to drive this point further, let me relate the incident about Lycurgus, a famous Spartan general. He was asked one day why he did not order a strong wall built around Sparta for its defense. In answer, he pointed to his army and proudly replied and I quote: "There you behold the walls of Sparta, and every man a brick." Unquote.
The Rotary as well as the AFP's great "army" is just the same - a stronghold against the enemies of indifference and inaction. And every single Rotarian or soldier is a "Brick in this wall."
The third point of commonality between our two organizations lies in the fact that we also live by the Rotary's world-renowned 4-Way Test:
Is it the Truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendship?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Our adherence to these four essentials, I believe, makes our accomplishments grander. It also strengthens the "mortar of service" which binds us together. Indestructible and as one, as we continue to make sacrifices for the sake of our common stakeholders - our fellow filipinos. Much as I wish to go on mentioning our points of intersection, I am afraid that there isn't enough time at my disposal. Surely you agree with me that the list is endless.
Permit me now to share with you how we in your armed forces harnessed and continues to harness our assets in order to score considerable accomplishments in defense of the Filipino people's freedom. In safeguarding our national security, in making our nation a safer and much better place to live in - for us, for our children and our children's children.
I will discuss these in the context of our nation's current peace, order and security situation, with emphasis on our AFP's campaigns in southern Philippines.
(NATIONAL SECURITY SITUATION)
My discussion will cover three (3) main points:
The economic implications of internal armed conflict, the main threats to security, and the government response to these threats. Let me cite the economic implications of internal armed conflict.
[economic implications of the internal armed conflict (Pardo's model)]
Peace and order problem causes:
- commercial activities to slow down
- agricultural production to go down (farms are untendered because of fear and mass evacuation, aside from damage or destruction of crops and livestock due to armed confrontations)
- Military spending goes up as the military launches operations
- slow down in commercial activities (less tax) and agricultural production (less tax, importation of basic items) and increase military spending cause budget deficit.
- the risk factor in engaging in business or setting up an enterprise increases
- investor confidence plummets and capital flight occurs
- slow down in commercial activities and agri-production lowers GDP
- the weakening of the peso and rising interest rates because of budget deficit and business risks, coupled with low production causes the inflation rate to bloat.
- rising inflation and interest rates and devaluation of the peso increases business cost that will trigger decrease in investments
- low GDP and low investments result to unemployment and eventually poverty. Poverty breeds peace and order problem.
The bottomline is this: deterioration of peace and order results in a vicious cycle of low growth, high unemployment, increased poverty and more peace and order problems.
Government intervention then is needed.
At this point, allow me to define the main threats to our nation's security.
I shall start with the local communist movement, to be followed by the armed secessionist and terrorist groups in Mindanao.
The local communist movement spearheaded by the CPP/NPA/NDF continues to be the main threat to our national security for the past four (4) years, it has been silently stepping-up recruitment in order to build-up its armed capability. In fact, it has been repeatedly exposed by the media that the NPA has been shamelessly recruiting minors -- some even as young as 13 years old -- a gross violation of the rights of the child, an immoral and inexcusable act, despite this abominable practice, the NPA has been able to delude unwitting individuals into their blind cause.
Dissident terrorist strength is now place at 10, 700 with 5,600 firearms. CPP/NPA/NDF presence and activities are felt in and around 1,198 remote and far-flung barangays, comprising about 2.8% of the 42,000 barangays nationwide, and scattered in 90 guerilla fronts nationwide. NPA membership posted an annual average increase of 8% since 1992. Since January this year, a total of 322 have been neutralized.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front, led by its chairman, Hashim Salamat, espouses the Islamization of the entire way of life in Mindanao. Including the form of government, educational system and legal system, and other aspects of society. In 1986, the MILF's strength stood at 5,330 with 3,100 firearms. Between 1996-1999, the MILF's strength grew at an alarming annual growth rate of 21% in manpower and 18% in firepower. By end of 1999, it had an armed strength of 15,690 with 11,280 firearms. If this trend had prevailed, the MILF would have been able to recruit as many as 28,000 guerillas and accumulate 18,500 firearms within a three-year period. This group has repeatedly engaged in various atrocities and criminal activities including the takeover of town halls, burning of whole villages, abductions, extortion, forcible occupation of roads, and the taking of poor women and children as "human shields" against pursuing government troops.
Before the military offensives began, the MILF had 13 major camps and 33 other satellite camps, most of which were located in central Mindanao. Those camps served as the MILF's training ground and staging point for attacking or harassing civilian communities and AFP positions, zacat collection, and extortion activities. The camps also facilitated the MILF's command and control and communications system.
The MILF was able to develop the capability to conduct large-scale offensives and had engaged the government in frquent battles. Despite a ceasefire agreement, the MILF repeatedly launched treacherous attacks on military installations and civilian areas. But the line had to be drawn. On 21 March, full-scale military operations against the MILF had been authorized by the President of the Republic of the Philippines. Four months into the offensive, government troops were able to capture the MILF's main headquarters -- Camp Abubakar, followed by the fall of 12 other major camps and 33 other satellite camps and defensive positions as of November 12, 2000, the ongoing campaign has resulted in 1,787 MILF guerillas neutralized and the recovery of 1,185 high-powered firearms.
With the fall of Camp Abubakar, and other camps, the MILF's armed capability was significantly degraded. The MILF's command, control and communications system has been dismantled and its leadership cut-off from whatever was left of the weary and starving MILF units. The rebels have withdrawn, and are now dispersed in various parts of central Mindanao without a clear organization nor an effective chain of command. The MILF is now a rapidly disintegrating group. Large numbers of MILF fighters have either surrendered to the government or simply laid down their arms and returned to their homes and families.
As of November 12, a total of 1,074 MILF rebels have surrendered and are now being evaluated and processed under the rebel returnee program.
The Abu Sayyaf, founded in the early 1980s, by Islamic scholar-turned-terrorist, Abdurajak Abubakar Janjalani, initially operated as a fundamentalist secessionist group. But later turned to banditry. The Abu Sayyaf is also known by its international name - Al Harakatul Al-Islamiya.
While the avowed objective of the ASG is the establishment of an Islamic theocratic society in Mindanao, it has degenerated through the years, into a mere criminal group, engaging in terrorism, extortionm and other forms of violent crimes. Abu Sayyaf's original manpower was placed at 1,200 with 400 firearms. They operated mainly in Sulu and Basilan with residual presence in the Zamboanga provinces and Saranggani.
Because of effective military operations, demoralization and confusion has swept the ASG -- resulting to the weakening of its already splintered leadership. On 16 September, President Estrada ordered the conduct of military operations against the ASG. These operations led to the recovery of two(2) French journalists, the rescue of three(3) Malaysians, and twelve(12) members of the Jesus Miracle Crusade, only two(2) hostages remain in captivity namely: Mr. Jeffrey Schilling, an American citizen; and Mr. Roland Ullah, a Filipino. Since Oplan Final Option II was launched, a total of 593 ASG bandits have been neutralized, government troops were able to recover 420 high-powered firearms.
To counter the atrocities committed by these threat groups, the AFP has deployed additional troops in the troubled areas of Mindanao since March of this year.
Your AFP's campaign, however, does not end there. The initial victories of your AFP will help pave the way for rehabilitation and development efforts in Mindanao. Already, government mechanisms are in place to set the Mindanao rehabilitation, peace and development program in motion.
Inspite of the ongoing military operations, to decimate the ASG and to flush out the remaining MILF rebels, relief and rehabilitation efforts are already in full swing in the liberated areas particularly in central Mindanao. There is more work to be done. The military component was just that -- a necessary component that needs to be complemented by non-combat efforts, particularly that of the army engineers. The time for waging war is nearly over, the season for rebuilding has come. Let me assure you that your armed forces is also ready to turn the areas of conflict into fields of hope and progress. But the answers to the needs of Mindanao, and other parts of our country cannot be found in mere programs.
Clearly, the power to embark on the long journey towards peace and development is within ourselves. Some of us need to overcome the apathy toward the plight of our less fortunate countrymen. Others need to overcome the sense of distrust that has built up over the years. By overcoming that first hurdle, we can strike a common resolve, a common agenda for genuine peace and development in Mindanao.
The government and the private sector should muster the political will to make the necessary changes, to do what must be done. We, in your armed forces have gone ahead to turn our "swords into plowshares". While the AFP is an instrument of war, it is also a force for nation-building and progress. As proof, government relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction projects are already underway, with top priority being given to 70 towns located in the following provinces:
Priority Areas for Relief, Rehab and Reconstruction
Province No. of Towns
Cotabato 9
Sultan Kudarat 8
Maguindanao 14
Lanao del Sur 26
Lanao del Norte 13
Total 70
Three engineer brigades have been deployed in central Mindanao with the mission of repairing roads, bridges and other vital infrastructure needed by our people in areas affected by the recent armed conflict. These engineering brigades will move on to other areas after the finish their reconstruction work.
The involvement of your AFP in these activities is nothing new. We have long recognized that ensuring national security goes beyond military containment of threats. The AFP, perhaps more than any other time, must transform itself into a partner for positive socio-economic change, especially in the countrysides where construction and development projects are needed the most.
(Closing)
At the onset of my disclosure, I discussed with you the commonalities of our respective organizations. Most of the times efficient management of human resources provides the needed difference in achieving our vision of a united and progressive country. It is also in this paradigm that we could deduce that only with our concerted efforts as soldiers and civilian managers, would our vision of a truly democratic and united Philippines would be realized.
As I end my message, I share to you the words of the great civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. and I quote:
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenges and controversy. Unquote.
As leaders in your own right - capable and accomplished, and dedicated to service as our soldiers are, I ask you to take the frontline with us. Rally your people to join us in the fight to preserve the peace and keep the freedom we hold so dear. Not by guns alone is the battle for freedom won, but by determination and unity as we face the more intangible negative forces that hamper our peace and development efforts. The battles we have to win are not battles of men against men, but the war against poverty. I call on you as professionals of vision and citizens with hearts for service to do your share by:
- being vigilant about what you AFP is doing for you. It is a public enterprise, and you are the stakeholders. You must demand your tax money's worth.
- continuing your community involvement. Make your community a pro-active and progressive place to live in, and work together for a safe and secure environment.
- harnessing your AFP in developmental roles for we are more than willing and capable of helping our nation; and
- being most helpful and most credible in sharing with your peers the whys and hows of your AFP
Joined together, working hand-in-hand, the fight against our enemies is already won. But the bastion of our victory rests on the effort we invest to nurture our partnership so that our endeavors are made more successful and more meaningful. Therefore, let us not be hindered by the uncertainties of today; instead, let us seek and celebrate opportunities to strengthen our ties so that we may bring progress to our country and the freedom we hold so dear is protected and preserved for the present and the future.
Thank you and good day. |