Defense Secretary graces Army Leadership Summit and Capability Exposition

FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – The Department of National Defense Secretary, Delfin N. Lorenzana, graces the Philippine Army (PA) Leadership Summit and Capability Exposition held here today, Dec. 5, 2019.

The event was designed to bring together the command’s senior leaders and provide them a platform in discussing relevant issues affecting the organization and its strategic direction as well as showcase the current and future defense acquisitions significant to the thrust of becoming a world-class Army.

Lorenzana, who served as the keynote speaker, highlighted President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s guidance of ending the insurgency that threatens national peace and security. As part of his call on the importance of exchanging command ideas and best practices, an open forum was also conducted where concerns on capability development and issues were raised by the Army leaders.

Moreover, Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations Maj. Gen. Antonio G. Parlade Jr. also provided an update on the National Task Force to End Local Communist and Armed Conflict. He emphasized that addressing the youth recruitment schemes of the CPP-NPA-NDF is a critical aspect in ending the conflict.

PA Headquarters General Staff and Functional Command Chiefs also reported the accomplishments and the future thrusts of the organization in terms of Personnel, Intelligence, Operations, Logistics, Civil-Military Operations, Education and Training, Reserve Force Development, Financial Management, and Governance.

On the other hand, the Capability Demonstration, which will be featured until tomorrow, exhibits the international defense equipment from United States of America, Israel, India, Czech Republic, and Philippines.
An Army Governance Pathway awarding ceremony was also conducted wherein the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division was recognized for successfully sustaining their Institutionalized Status by establishing the functionality of their strategy execution mechanisms. Meanwhile, the Proficient Status was given to the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations while the Initiated Status was conferred to the Operations Research Center and to the 1st Brigade Combat Team.

Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto who culminated the activity said, “I would like to thank everyone for the accomplishment that you have done. But I expect that everyone of you will still continue to do your best for the Philippine Army and for our country. In so doing, let us keep in mind our core values and also our core purpose to serve the people and secure the land.”#