PH troops world-class despite lack of equipment: Army chief

By Priam Nepomuceno

June 18, 2020, 2:29 pm

<p><strong>WORLD-CLASS TROOPS.</strong> Army commander, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay (center) leads the 13th anniversary celebration of the Army Artillery Regiment (AAR) at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on Wednesday (June 17, 2020). In his speech, Gapay said Filipino troops are among the best fighters in the world despite lacking modern equipment.<em> (Photo courtesy of the Army Chief Public Affairs Office)</em></p>

WORLD-CLASS TROOPS. Army commander, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay (center) leads the 13th anniversary celebration of the Army Artillery Regiment (AAR) at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on Wednesday (June 17, 2020). In his speech, Gapay said Filipino troops are among the best fighters in the world despite lacking modern equipment. (Photo courtesy of the Army Chief Public Affairs Office)

MANILA – The lack of modern equipment has not hindered Filipino troops from fulfilling their mandate to protect the country from various threats, the chief of the Philippine Army said on Wednesday. 

"As former CGPA (Commanding General of the Philippine Army) and chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Gen. Eduardo Año once said, 'Filipinos are considered as one of the best fighters in the world because we have the values and resolve.' Kahit parating pa lang ang mga kagamitan, parang sinasabi ni Gen. Año na tayo ay panalo na sa laban. At yan ay makikita natin sa mga cañoneros (Even if our equipment has yet to arrive, Gen. Año said we have already won the battle. That is the spirit being demonstrated by our artillerymen)," Army commander, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, said in his speech during the 13th anniversary of the Army Artillery Regiment (AAR) in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.

Gapay said that while it has yet to get more modern equipment, the AAR has been effective in carrying out its mandate and assisting the government in ongoing efforts to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Meanwhile, he urged all AAR personnel to continue honing their skills and maintain their professionalism.

Gapay also lauded the AAR for its strong support for its military and civilian stakeholders, particularly in the ongoing efforts to contain the disease.

The AAR is an Institutionalized Philippine Army Major Unit at the forefront of the Army modernization in line with its Land Maneuver Concept to address external, internal, and hybrid threats.

Scheduled to receive new armaments that would strengthen its capabilities, the AAR recently created additional batteries intended to man soon-to-be-delivered multiple-launch rocket and land-based missile systems, and air defense and field artillery.

This is consistent with its mandate to organize, train, equip, develop, and sustain artillery units in providing timely and accurate fire support to maneuver units. (PNA)

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