Ang aking pansit Molo

Pagkatapos ng Company Refresher Training ng aking pinamunuang 10th Scout Ranger Company, inatasan ako na ihanda ang tropa para sa deployment nito sa Panay island noong taong 2000.

Na-train ko na ring mabuti ang aking 'parade boys' na galing sa Army headquarters.

Nakabili ako ng mga bagong office equipment lalo na laptop and desktop computers na magagamit sa administrative requirements ng aking mga tauhan.

Napaayos na rin ang aking mga vehicles. Bago ang makina at pati mga gulong. Proud na akong sakyan ang aking astig na M151 Kennedy Jeep.

Bagaman beterano sa pakikidigma ang aking yunit, naging duguan ito sa last deployment sa Basilan.

Naospital ang mga sugatang dating Company Commander at Executive Officer na si 1st Lt Toto Atienza at si 1st Lt Lawrence San Juan pagkatapos ng isang madugong bakbakan sa Baguindan, Tipo-tipo (kilala ngayon sa tawag na Al-Barka) noong Oktubre 1999.

Ang engkwentro na iyon na tumagal ng maraming oras ang pinakamatindi na naranasan ng mga mandirigma ng yunit. Kaya naman ay minabuti ng liderato ng First Scout Ranger Regiment na 'pagpahingahin' ang 10th SRC pagkatapos ng mahigit sa dalawang taong paninilbihan nito sa islang lalawigan ng Basilan simula taong 1997.

 Strike anywhere

Para sa aming mga organic Scout Rangers naman ay laging welcome kung saan man kami i-deploy, maging 'hot spot' man ito ng southern Philippines o kaya sa mga liblib na pook na pinamumugaran ng mga bandidong NPA.

Ika nga ay mga 'bumbero' ang mga Musang. Kung saan ang sunog andon kami. Kung saan merong bandido, doon kami matatagpuan. Bawal kami sa kabihasnan. Bawal kaming pang-porma lang sa mall.

Gusto ko mang isabak sa challenging combat assignment ang aking tropa, naisip ko rin na dapat makakita ng ibang AOR ang aking mga mandirigma na panay Mindanao assignments ang natikman simula noong reactivation ng yunit noong taong 1991, na kung saan nagalugad din nila ang kagubatan ng Surigao del Sur at Agusan del Sur.

Sa mga 'first timers' sa balwarte ng mga ka-Toto, binigyan ko sila ng magandang foresight.

"Gentlemen, pagkakataon nyo nang makatikim ng ipinagmamalaking Pancit Molo sa lalawigan ng Iloilo," biro ko sa aking tropa isang umaga na nagkaroon kami ng troop accounting.

"Magpaturo na kayo sa salitang Ilonggo kay First Sergeant Jerios para matuto kayong makipagbolahan sa mga ka-Toto don sa area."

Sa gitna ng kasiyahan ng mga tropang Ilonggo, napag-tanto ko rin na baka naman ay bigla kaming hugutin at isalang sa Mindanao. Hindi bago sa amin ang mga urgent message na me tatak Z (Zulu) na tipong kinaumagahan agad eh nasa bagong deployment ka na.

Sa mga panahong iyon, tuloy-tuloy ang paghagilap kina Abu Sabaya at Janjalani sa Basilan. Me nagsabi na tumawid sila ng Sulu at nakikigulo sa grupo ni Galib Andang (Commander Robot) at Mujib Susukan at Radulan Sahiron (Kumander Putol).

Maliban pa doon, kasalukuyang me hawak na mga foreign hostages galing Sipadan, Malaysia ang grupo ni Kumander Robot. Lagi silang nasa headlines. Naiinis kaming lahat sa pagyayabang nila.

Nagkakutob ako na baka naman ipapadala kami don. Lalo kong pinaigting ang paghahanda sa mga sundalo para sa posibleng combat deployment kahit pa man, walang pagbabago sa Warning Order (W.O.) na sa Iloilo ang aming mapupuntahan. Well, sa aming mga Scout Rangers, tanggap na namin ang katotohanang pang-gyera ang aming yunit. Kahit saan, kahit sino kalaban. Kung ayaw ng iba, tawagin ang Musang.

Pancit Molo

Nang kami ay inilipad papuntang Iloilo City noong August 4, 2000, don ko lang nasigurado na talagang Panay Island ang aming mapupuntahan para palitan ang 3rd Scout Ranger Company doon.

Halos dalawang oras ding kaming nagtitiis sa masikip na espasyo ng C-130 cargo plane na humihitik sa dami ng pasahero at mga kagamitang aming dala. Pati Kennedy vehicle ko ay sinama kong ikarga.

Paglapag namin sa Iloilo City airport, nakita namin ang tropa ng 3rd Scout Ranger Company na naka-antabay para sa aming 'Relief-in-place'. Merong simpleng welcome ceremony para sa amin at send-off naman para sa 3rd SRC na karamihan ay mga Ilonggo. Marami sa kanila ay hindi ngumingiti maliban sa kanilang tubong Maynila na Company Commander na si Lt Rommel Pagayon.

Nang hinakot na ang aming tropa at kagamitan papunta sa Camp Hernandez, 'all eyes' kami sa kakaibang tanawin sa Iloilo.

"Ito na ang lugar ng sikat na Pancit Molo!"

Nakikita namin ang naglipanang 'batchoyan' at mga lumang mga simbahan.

Palangiti ang mga tao at kinakawayan ang mga sundalo. Feeling pogi naman ang aking mga sundalo kapag naka-smile ang mga nag-gagandahang Ilongga na nakikita sa daanan.

Napansin namin ang kaibahan ng Basilan at Iloilo. Halos lahat ng lugar ay me pananim. Sa urban areas,  nakikita ang kaunlaran.

Ganon naman, batid namin na meron pa ring mga bandido sa mga liblib na lugar kagaya ng hinterlands ng Tapaz, Capiz.

Hindi bakasyon ang aming deployment. Kaya nga nilagay kami dito dahil meron kaming trabaho at yon ay upang lipulin ang mga magugulong bandido.

Sa weekends, hinahayaan ko rin ang aking tropa na makakapagbisita sa kabayanan para makapag adjust sa bagong environment nila.

Don na sila tumikim ng ipinangalandakang Pancit Molo na talaga namang napakasarap diumano sabi ng mga Ilokano at Bisaya na nakatikim.

New home

Hindi naman umabot ng isang oras ang byahe papunta sa aming destinasyon.

Nakita ko sa gilid ng highway ang sign board: "Welcome to Camp Hernandez".

Excited ako sa aking bagong bahay at bagong makasalamuhang mamamayan.

Pinalinisan at pinaayos ko agad ang lahat na pasilidad ng aming kampo. Pinatabasan ko ang likuran at nagpagawa ang ng vegetable gardens. Bawat team, isang garden.

Nagpagawa rin ako ng kulungan ng aalagaang manok. Pang-ulam po, hindi panabong. Me shoot-to-kill order ako parati sa panabong na manok. 

Dahil batid kong anytime ay ma-deploy kami para labanan ang mga bandidong NPA, ipinagpatuloy namin ang aming training activities. Pinaigting namin ang small-unit operations.

Nagpaalam ako sa Mayor para mag-firing sa likurang bahagi ng kampo na walang tao. Sinigurado kong bihasa sa pakikipagbarilan ang aking mga sundalo.

Lagi kong pinapa-high morale ang mga 'parade boys' na kaya nga nila ang ginagawa ng mga graduate ng Scout Ranger Course.

Pancit Jolo

Iilang linggo pa lamang kami doon sa lugar nang natanggap ko ang radio message mula sa higher headquarters na kami ay isasabak sa Sulu para i-rescue ang mga kidnap victims na mula sa Sipadan, Malaysia.

Ito yong sumalubong sa akin na radio message na iniabot ng aking radio operator:

"YOU ARE DIRECTED TO PREPARE FOR A 2-WEEK COMBAT MISSION IN SULU PROVINCE".

"Wow, gyera uli. Ang pancit Molo, naging pancit Jolo!"

In a way, excited ako kasi siguradong umaatikabong bakbakan ang susuungin namin. Sino ba naman ang hindi excited na makapagparusa sa kabulastugan ni Galib Andang? Nababalitaan namin ang pangri-rape nila.

Sa 'on cam' interviews, hinahamon nila ang mga sundalo. Sa downtown Jolo, nililikida nila ang mga tropa at isa dito ay miyembro ng First Scout Ranger Regiment.

Dahil umaatikabong aksyon ang aming puntahan, nagpabili ako ng Medical Kit. Sa panahong iyon, hindi pa standard issue sa squad ang Combat Life Support (CLS) Kit na meron ngayon. Thank you sa nakaisip nyan.

Nagpabili ako ng IV fluids, pang blood clot, mga tabletang gamot sa ordinaryong karamdaman kagaya ng pagtatae, lagnat, pang-anti malaria, at.............

"Sir, isama natin ang female napkins!" Sabi yon ng aking Executive Officer na si Lt Marlo Jomalesa.

"Iyan ang pang-lagay natin sa mga sugat lalo na chest wound, habang inaantay ang MEDEVAC." Narinig daw nya yon sa mga advices ng mga doktor pagkatapos na nasawi sa chest wound ang bayaning si Lt Jake Paler, ang pinuno ng 18th Scout Ranger Company na nasugatan sa Central Mindanao noong taon ding iyon. Natututo kami sa mga actual experiences.

Akala ko ano na, bakit gagamit ang Rangers ng Whisper! Pinagbigyan ko na, para sa tropa eh.

"Okay, pumakyaw ng napkins!".

Minabuti ng aming astig na Medical Aidman na si Cpl Jose 'Toto' Legaspi na turuan uli ang bawat miyembro ng teams na designated bilang aidman. Tinabas din nila ang mga napkin at distributed sa mga teams kasama ang mga gamot. Lalong naging feel ng mga baguhan na bakbakan nga ang pupuntahan namin. 

Pinaparamdam ko sa tropa na gagawin namin ang lahat na magamot agad kung sino matamaan o kaya ay magkasakit habang nasa bundok kami na naghahagilap ng mga bandidong Abu Sayyaf.

Kinausap ko nang masinsinan ang aking mga sundalo na dapat maging positibo ang isipan sa lahat ng panahon.

"Tayo ay Scout Rangers at tayo ay laging pinagkakatiwalaan sa mga mabibigat na mission. Kalimutan nyo na muna ang Pancit Molo nyo, humandang namnamin ang Pancit Jolo!

"Walang iwanan!"


(Abangan ang karugtong)

The roles of military wives

Lagi na lang biruan na ang mga misis daw ng sundalo ay 'one rank higher' kaysa kanila.

Kahit na ito ay biruan lamang, marami-rami na rin akong kilalang mga misis na ini-enjoy ang kanilang pagiging 'one rank' seniority kuno.

Halimbawa, merong isang tigasing Koronel na napakatapang at napaka-authoritative sa kanyang mga tauhan. Kindat lamang niya ay nanginginig na ang mga kinasasakupan dahil sya ay 'terror' sa yunit.

Kung sya ay makasigaw ay tila ginamitan na ng public address system sa sobrang lakas ng boses. Kilala syang animo ay Tigre sa kabangisan.

Ang problema, sa anino pa lang ng misis nyang palaging pumupunta sa kampo, sya ay tila kandilang nauupos sa kinatatayuan. Aba, me tiga-alaga pala ang Tigre na ito!

Minsan, ang tiga-alaga sa Tigre ay hindi lamang matapang sa kanyang mister na sundalo. Para din syang si Heneral Patton kung makapang bulyaw ng mga enlisted personnel at maging mga junior officers.

Dahil 'one rank higher' daw sya sa kanyang mister na kinikilalang lider sa yunit, tila ay opisyal na rin syang itinuturing.

Maling kagawian

Sa aking paningin, ang nag-siga-sigaan na misis sa yunit ay isang maling kagawian na hindi dapat hinahayaan. Ito ay nakakahiya at hindi alinsunod sa tamang alituntunin ng militar.

Ang sundalo lamang na merong serial number at binigyan ng awtoridad sa pamamalakad ng yunit ang may karapatan na mag-uutos at  magdidisiplina ng mga tauhan. 

Ang misis ay isang sibilyan na ang tanging role ay suportahan ang career ng kanyang asawa.

Kung nagkawindang-windang ang mga tradisyon at napasukan ng ganitong mga kamalian, ito ay dahil hinahayaan ng mismong opisyal.

Bilang isang propesyonal na sundalo, ang military officer o NCO ang syang magturo sa kanyang misis ano ang tamang asal ng mga military dependents. 

Hindi nya dapat hahayaang mag-cross ng line ang kanyang mahal na asawa at pakialaman ang military affairs na dapat ay para sa mga sundalo lamang.

Ika pa nga, "A military wife wears her husband's ring and not his rank". Ang kasabihan na ito ang hayagang naglalahad kung paano rin mag-behave ang isang asawa ng militar.

Halimbawa, instead na mag-uutos ng mga sundalo na ang asta ay parang isang senior officer, dapat idaan na lang ito sa kanilang asawang militar.

Pwede rin na makisuyo na lang sa sundalo sa mga bagay na ipapagawa. Di rin kasi maiwasan minsan na manghingi ng assistance ang isang military dependent sa mga sundalong malapit sa kanilang tahanan.

Nakakawala nga naman ng self-esteem kung isa kang sundalong nirerespeto ng kapwa mo sundalo, tapos burado ang lahat ng pinanghahawakan mo pagkatapos na hiyain ng isang sibilyan na misis.

Ganon din ang nararamdaman ng isang opisyal na hinihiya ng kanilang asawa. Paano ka nga naman respetuhin bilang pinuno kung nirarapido ka ng sabunot at sampal ng misis sa harap ng ibang tao?

Sa kapanahunan ng social media, nakikita natin ang iilang mga sundalong napapahiya sa sanlibutan dahil nag-aaway silang mag-asawa gamit ang Twitter at Facebook. Nakakalimutan ata nila ang simpleng kasabihang: "Don't wash your dirty linen in public".

Dahil sa sensitibo ang roles ng mga sundalo, dapat pinag-uusapang mabuti ng mag-asawa ang kanilang behavior sa madla.

Ang tamang role ng mga military wives

Napakahalaga ang role ng mga asawa sa buhay ng mga sundalo at ito ay hindi dapat isasantabi. Kung hindi suportado ng misis ang kanilang husband na nasa military service, malamang papalpak din ito.

Ang mga misis ay dapat tinuturuan paano sila mag-behave bilang military wives at paano makisalamuha sa iba, maging sa mga senior officers, kaparehong ranggo at mga tauhan ng kanyang asawa.

Habang nasa deployment ang asawa, ang misis ay dapat tigasin ng tahanan na syang nagpapatakbo sa lahat ng pamamalakad ng pamilya, kasama na ang pagdidisiplina sa mga anak, pagiging ingat-yaman ,at pagbibigay ng morale support sa kanyang asawa
.

Bilang partner sa tahanan, ang misis ay dapat kasangguni ng mister sa kanyang career options at mga plano na nakakaapekto sa kanilang pamilya.

Para laging nagkakaintindihan, dapat bukang-loob nilang pinag-uusapan ang mga bigating desisyon na may epekto sa kanilang lahat at ito ay ipinapaintindi maging sa mga anak.

Dagdag pa nito, magiging abala ang isang military wife sa sariling career o kaya sa gawaing pambahay at maging maliitang negosyo bilang suporta sa kanyang asawa. Ang problema kasi sa walang ginagawa ay napupunta sa tsismisan at awayang pang palengke ang maaatupag.

Mas malala pa kung ma-jong ang hinihimas ng misis sa buong araw, gamit ang kapiranggot na sweldo na padala ng mister na nasa bundok.

Paano nga naman kung ang sundalo ay natataguriang 'London boy' (loan dito at loan don) dahil sa financial mismanagement ng kanyang misis?  Mas malamang, mawalan na rin ito ng motivation na magpakahirap sa mga bakbakan sa bundok dahil panay problema sa tahanan ang dagdag pabigat sa isipan.

So, para sa mga bata pa sa serbisyo, hindi pa huli ang lahat at pwede pa nating baguhin kung kailangan. Ika nga, we can only change ourselves and the people who are under our influence.

Turuan natin ang ating mga minamahal na misis. Ang uunahin nating paalala:  Hindi sila parte sa military chain of command.

5 soldiers hurt by NPA landmine in North Cotabato

MAKILALA, North  Cotabato---Five soldiers were hurt when suspected NPA rebels detonated a roadside bomb as a military vehicle carrying them passed by at around 10:45pm on Friday, Jan. 25.

The KM 450 truck of the 57th Infantry Battalion was heading back towards the headquarters of the 602nd Infantry Brigade in Bgy  Kisante here when 3 unidentified suspects detonated the bomb. 

The wounded soldiers were immediately brought to a local hospital for treatment as another group of soldiers led by Lt Carag was sent to pursue the attackers. 

The soldiers are now in stable condition. 

Communist rebels here have continuously employed roadside bombs to inflict casualties among the soldiers. 

The use of landmines is prohibited in the international humanitarian law and it is also a violation to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) that was signed by GRP and CPP-NDF panels.

Army Officer’s Courses Pre-Entry Examinations opened in Eastern Visayas

 Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City – The Army Recruitment Office for Visayas based in Camp Lapu-lapu, Cebu City will conduct a series of Philippine Army Aptitude Test Battery (PAATB) and other pre-entry examinations for Officer Candidate Course (OCC), Officer Preparatory Course (OPC) and Probationary Training Course (POTC) to all aspiring and interested applicants from Eastern Visayas and Bohol province.

 

The examinations will be facilitated by the personnel from the Army Recruitment Office from February 20-26, 2013 on the following dates and venues as indicated:

 

  a. February 20 at Headquarters 803^rd Brigade, Camp Sumoroy, Catarman, Northern Samar; 

  b. February 21 at Headquarters 8^th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, Camp Vicente Lukban, Catbalogan City, Samar; February 22 at Leyte Colleges, Tacloban City;

  c. February 23 at Headquarters 8^th Regional Community Defense Group (RCDG), Army Reserve Command (ARESCOM), Camp Downes, Ormoc City;

  d. February 24, 2013 at Saint Joseph College, Maasin City and;

  e. February 25-26, 2013 at 702^nd Community Defense Center, 7RCDG, ARESCOM, Tagbilaran City.
 

 

Cpt Gene Orense, the Spokesman of the 8th Infantry Division said that any qualified natural born Filipino citizen are welcome to join the military service.
 

 

“If you are 21-31 years of age, single, at least 5 ft. in height (male or female), baccalaureate degree holder, and will be able to pass the PAATB with a minimum score of 110 points, you can join the POTC and OCC. Those who are commissioned as 2^nd Lieutenant in the reserve force can join the Officer Preparatory Course,” Cpt Gene Orense, 8ID Spokesman said.
 

Examinees must bring along the following original documents during the examination: NSO Birth Certificate; Transcript of Record; College Diploma; ballpen and pencil.
 

For further clarifications and inquiries, please feel free to contact TSg Noel D Cabides at the Office of the Procurement Section, Army Personnel Management Center, PA, through this mobile number 09283795781.


 

Notorious NPA assasins slain in Sorsogon clash

 

CASTILLA, Sorsogon-- Two members of the NPA's death squad were killed after trading fires with Army soldiers in Gubat town here yesterday.

Colonel Joselito Kakilala, the Commander of the Army's 903rd Brigade here, said that troops of the 31st Infantry Battalion clashed with at least 7 members of the Special Partisan Unit (SPARU) of the New People's Army in Bgy Carriedo of the said town at around 9:05 am.

 

The soldiers were conducting security patrol in the village when they received a tip-off about the presence of the dreaded liquidation unit which is responsible for the killing of several members of the government forces including Army soldiers, policemen and civilians.

 

While approaching towards the reported location of the rebels in Centro Dos, the rebels engaged the soldiers in a firefight for about 10 minutes before scampering to various directions.

 

Two of the rebels were killed while some were wounded in the intense firefight. They hurriedly escaped, bringing along some casualties with them.

 

Two dead rebels were left behind in the encounter site. A Cal .45 pistol was found by the soldiers from the hands of one of the fatality.

 

Meanwhile, two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the clash.

 

Lt Col Teody Toribio identified the wounded soldiers as Cpl Alfredo Durana who sustained an abdominal wound, and Pfc Louie Lumbang who was wounded in the right thigh.

 

The casualties were promptly evacuated to a local hospital for treatment. The attending physicians have declared them in good medical condition.

Toribio said that residents have identified the dead rebel as a certain Ritchie Espineda, a.k.a. Bilog, the brother-in-law of slain NPA bandit leader Elmer Osila.

 

He said that the residents have been complaining about the NPA's excessive extortion in the hinterland villages.

 

Meanwhile,  Kakilala has reiterated his call for the NPA rebels to go back to the folds of the law.

 

"They should not prolong their hardships by insisting to hide in the mountains to wage armed violence against the government. I don't want to see them dead like these poor fellow Filipinos who were deceived by their recruiters," he said.

Battle-hardened soldier designated as Army Chief

FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – A battle-hardened soldier who had served in various hot spots of Mindanao for more than 14 years, will be installed as the next Commanding General of the Philippine Army.
 

Lieutenant General Noel A Coballes, 54, will assume as the 55^th Commanding General of the Philippine Army, replacing Lieutenant General Emmanuel T Bautista who was recently installed as the Chief of Staff Armed Forces of the Philippines.
 

 The President of the Republic of the Philippines and the AFP Commander-in-Chief, His Excellency President Benigno S Aquino III, will preside the Change of Command Ceremony on Tuesday, January 22, at about 3 p.m. at the Hunters ROTC Guerrilla Field/Headquarters Philippine Army Grandstand in Fort Bonifacio.
 

 

Battle-hardened soldier

 

Coballes started his military career in the battlefields of Mindanao as the Platoon Leader of the 26^th Infantry Battalion, 4^thInfantry Division.

 

Later on, he joined the First Scout Ranger Regiment and commanded the line companies under the 2^ndScout Ranger Battalion which saw action in various hotspots in Mindanao.

 

He also led four different Task Group Panthers (TGP), a command and control unit that supervises the operations of Scout Ranger companies. The TGP that he led in Basilan in 1995, was credited for the neutralization of several Abu Sayyaf terrorists who were responsible for the kidnapping of civilians in the area.

Once again, he distinguished himself in combat as the Battalion Commander of the 2^nd Scout Ranger Battalion which was employed to confront the armed threats in Maguindanao and North Cotabato from 1997-2000.

 

He personally led his unit in many decisive battles, earning for him the admiration and respect by his peers and subordinates.

He is among the most bemedalled military officers in the AFP having been twice awarded the Distinguished Conduct Star, the second highest combat medal for bravery, for his exemplary combat actions.

 

He is also a recipient of three Distinguished Service Stars, five Gold Cross Medals for gallantry in action (3rd highest combat medal), two Bronze Cross Medals, and several Military Merit Medals, and Commendations both from the military and other institutions.

 

Personal background

 

Born on February 1958 in Tuguegarao, Cagayan, Coballes is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA)“Mapitagan” Class of 1980. He finished the rigorous 4-year military course at the Top 15 out of 106 cadets.

 

He successfully stirred the Filipino Peacekeeping Unit who served under the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) from 2001 to 2002. Holding then the rank of a Lt Col, he led the 604-strong Filipino contingent that helped international peacekeeping operations in East Timor during its transition to an independent state.

 

He also commanded the Army’s 105^th Infantry Brigade, 1^st Infantry Division in Basilan; and also the 1003^rd Infantry Brigade, 10^th Infantry Division in Davao area.

 

He also served as the Commander of the First Scout Ranger Regiment, Special Operations Command, one of the elite units of the AFP.

 

He had excellently performed several staff duties in various capacities as Chief, Plans and Program Division and eventually becoming the Executive Officer of OJ3, GHQ; Assistant Chief of Staff for Education and Training, G8 of the First Scout Ranger Regiment; Deputy Commander and Executive Officer and eventually the Officer-in-Charge of the Scout Ranger Training Center; Assistant Section Chief at the Combat Arms School, TRACOM, PA; aside from his numerous Board and Committee memberships.
 

Prior to his designation as Army Chief, he was the 40^th Vice Chief of Staff of the AFP. In concurrent capacity as VCSAFP, he was also the Chief, Office of Ethical Standard and Public Accountability, AFP; the Commander, AFP Disaster Response Task Force; and Commander, AFP Wide Service Support Unit. He likewise chaired the AFP Housing Board, the AFP Medal for Valor Board, AFP Gender and Development Focal Point Committee, and the AFP Legislative Affairs Board.
 

Coballes also commanded the Western Mindanao Command, during which time he led the campaign for peace in Zamboanga Peninsula, Lanao Provinces, Misamis Occidental, and the Island Provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.
 

His campaign against terrorism and lawlessness led to the neutralization of 15 Abu Sayyaf Group members and foreign terrorists including Abu Sayyaf leader Umbra Jumdail @ Doctor Abu and two leaders of Jemaah Islamiyah.
 

He also served as Commander of the 1^st Infantry Division. His leadership was highly commended for the peace and development initiatives in his area of responsibility.

 

 

Special courses
 

Fulfilling his dream of becoming one of the elite warriors in the Army, Coballes completed the Scout Ranger Course as a young Lieutenant on 16 December 1980.
 

He also took several career and specialization courses including the Infantry Officer Basic Course on 01 October 1987 where he graduated at the top of his class; the Infantry Officer Advance Course at the US Army Infantry School on 01 December 1989; the Pre-Command Course on 24 November 1995; the Basic Airborne Course on 01 February 1996.
 

He was in the top 10 of his class when he took the Philippine Army Command and General Staff Course. He also earned the degree Master of Strategic Studies from the US Army War College on 09 June 2007.
 

To hone his management skills he finished the Strategic Human Resource Management Course at the Asian Institute of Management.
 

He is one of the so-called 'shooting generals', a group of star-rank officers which actively participates in shooting competitions. He also engages in other outdoor sporting activities such as mountain biking, golf and scuba diving.
 

He is happily married to the former Ms Lorna Paglinawan of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte with whom he has four lovely daughters: Sue Ann, Carolyn, Mae Ann, and Maria Alexis.


 

SOCOM troopers welcome newly-appointed Commander

FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – The Special Operations Command (SOCOM) welcomes the appointment of its new commander in a Change of Command ceremony at the SOCOM Headquarters in Fort Magsaysay on Monday, January 21 at 9:00am.

Lt General Emmanuel Bautista, the newly appointed AFP Chief, will preside the solemn turn over rites that will be attended by senior military officers and their loved ones.

Brigadier General Jet B. Velarmino is appointed to head the AFP’s elite forces, replacing Major General Romulo Bambao who is set to retire from the military service upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Velarmino will hold the post in an acting capacity while awaiting the designation of the permanent commander.

New Commander

Velarmino is regarded as a highly respected and professional military officer. He is  lauded for his exemplary services both in the field and in staff positions.

Prior to his appointment, Velarmino was the Deputy Commander of SOCOM. He also served as Commander of the 101^st Brigade of the 1^st Infantry Division in Mindanao.

He also became the Chief of Staff of the 1^st Infantry Division; Inspector General, 7^th Infantry Division; Defense and Armed Forces Attache to Malaysia and Inspector General, Intelligence Service Armed Forces of the Philippines. 

He also commanded the 51^st Infantry Battalion, 1^st Infantry Division for two years.

Early on his career, he led the 12 Special Forces Company, Special Forces Regiment Airborne (SFRA) which was deployed in Mindanao. After which, he became the Intelligence Officer and Operations Officer of the 6^th Special Forces Battalion, SFRA in Visayas and eventually commanded the said battalion in 1996. 

Velarmino, 52, is a member of the PMA Class of 1982.

The Elite Forces

Out of the Army Special Warfare Brigade (ASWABde) that was organized in 1978, SOCOM continued to evolve and is now a home to the Army’s elite forces – Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), the First Scout Ranger Regiment, and the Light Reaction Battalion.

SOCOM was formed with the responsibility to plan, conduct, and support special operations of the Philippine Army. It's organic units include the First Scout Ranger Regiment, Special Forces (Airborne) and the Light Reaction Battalion.

 The First Scout Ranger Regiment  specializes in anti-guerrilla warfare and is credited to the various successes in combat  in the past years..

The Special Forces Regiment (Airborne)  is also trained in the art of counter-insurgency operations. It is primarily trained in unconventional warfare operations and psychological warfare operations.

The newest member of SOCOM, the Light Reaction Battalion (formerly known as the Light Reaction Company), was established in the year 2000.

It is the lead counter-terrorist unit of the Philippine Army trained by American military advisers from the 1^stBattalion, 1^st Special Forces Group. The LRC was first deployed in Mindanao to combat Abu Sayyaf Group terrorists responsible for abducting several foreign hostages.

NPA bandits abduct off-duty soldier and a policeman in Compostela Valley

LAAK, Compostela Valley Province- An off-duty soldier and a policeman were abducted by heavily armed NPA bandits posing as Army soldiers in the hinterland village of Compostela Valley Province on Thursday morning (Jan 17).

 

Private First Class Jezreel Culango of the 60th Infantry Battalion, was collared by at least 30 bandits in Sitio Mangob, Imelda village, Laak town at around 9:00 am.

 

Wearing camouflaged uniforms, the bandits established a checkpoint and held Culango at gunpoint.

 

A policeman named P01 Ruel Pasion who also passed by during the incident, was also collared by the same group of bandits.

 

The bandits fled towards Tugpahan village with the victims in tow.

 

A team of soldiers and policemen were sent to pursue the bandits as a Crisis Management Committee was formed by the local government to address the said problem.

 

The NPA bandits have resumed their attacks against members of the security forces after the end of the holiday season ceasefire on January 15.

After being decimated due to the series of combat losses against the Army, coupled by the loss of support from the masses, the communist armed group has resorted to terror attacks against unarmed soldiers and even their family members.

 

In December 2012, NPA bandits abducted three family members of a soldier in Kapalong, Davao del Norte.

 

In the same year, bandits also lobbed a grenade at a community merry-making in Paquibato District, Davao City, wounding scores of innocent children.

 

Government authorities have condemned the senseless attacks against non-military targets citing that these are punishable as criminal offenses under Republic Act 9851.


 

Counter-insurgency 'Bayanihan' general is next AFP chief - source

By: Jaime Sinapit, InterAksyon.com
January 15, 2013 11:15 AM

MANILA, Philippines - The Army's commanding general, also the brains behind the counter-insurgency program called Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) or "Bayanihan," has been chosen by President Benigno Aquino III to be the next AFP Chief of Staff, according to highly placed sources.

Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1981, will replace outgoing AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa.

A source said Aquino signed the appointment of Bautista Monday afternoon. Malacanang is expected to announce the news within the day.

Dellosa will pass on the torch to Bautista on January 17, four days before his mandatory retirement age of 56.

Bautista bested other strong candidates such as Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Lauro Catalino dela Cruz and AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes.

Bautista assumed his post as the 54th Army chief on November 11, 2011. Before this, he served as commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, which operated in the whole of Western Visayas and the provinces of Negros Oriental and Siquijor of Central Visayas.

Before becoming 3rd ID Commander, he was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations or J3, of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), assisting the Chief of Staff in formulating plans and policies on all matters on operations and organization. As J3, he led the formulation of the new Internal Peace and Security Plan, "Bayanihan", which involved innovative approaches and paradigm shifts. It is now the blueprint of the AFP in "winning the peace".

Bautista was also concurrent Acting Deputy Chief of Staff (TDCS) in the latter part of his stint as J3.

He was Commander of the 702nd Infantry Brigade, 7th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, involved in Internal Security Operations in Central Luzon and responsible for the clearing of enemy guerrilla fronts in its Area of Responsibility.

Other field command duties he had were: Commander 24th Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Division; Commander of the 7th Scout Ranger Company, 1st Scout Ranger Regiment; and Platoon Leader in the 26th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. These assignments exposed him to various operational areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Internal auditor of AFP

As former Internal Auditor of the AFP, the choice of Bautista is seen to hew to the administration's reform agenda. He had helped the Chief of Staff in the efficient management of AFP resources. He also served as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, J5, AFP. The Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans assists the Chief of Staff, AFP in preparing strategic plans, formulating policies and managing the international affairs of the AFP.

He also served as Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of National Defense. In that position, he acted as the principal adviser of the Secretary of National Defense on military matters and served as his liaison to the Armed Forces.

He also held various important positions in the Army such as Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, G3; Secretary, Army General Staff; Chief of Staff of the Special Operations Command; and Chief of Staff of the 7th Infantry Division. At the AFP General Headquarters he also served as Executive Officer of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, J5, and is concurrently RP Co-Secretary of the RP-US Mutual Defense Board and Secretary of the AFP Modernization Board Executive Committee.

He also served as the plans officer of the AFP Civil Relations Service and as Instructor at the Department of Social Sciences, Philippine Military Academy where he taught economics, military history and military strategy.

Credentials

Bautista graduated number 7 out of 161 graduates of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1981 and was a recipient of the Commanding General Philippine Army Award, JUSMAG Saber Award and Distinguished Cadet Award (Starman).

He finished at the top of his class in the following courses: Scout Ranger Course, Infantry Officer Advance Course, and the Army Command and General Staff Course. He is also a graduate of the Joint & Combined Warfighting Course at the Joint Forces Staff College, Virginia, USA; the Grade II Staff and Tactics Course in New Zealand; Symposium on East Asian Security (SEAS), Honolulu, Hawaii, USA; and Security Sector Development at the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. He also has a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines, Diliman.

During his watch as Commanding General of Philippine Army, he advocated the implementation of IPSP “Bayanihan” through the conduct of various programs and activities to sustain PA units momentum in “Winning the Peace”.


 Parallel to this effort, he pursued the Army’s organizational transformation through the Army Transformation Roadmap to address the most crucial concerns in the Philippine Army, to enhance the soldier’s capability, morale and welfare in carrying out his mandated tasks and, most importantly to enhance operational capabilities of frontline units to fulfil AFP mission.

With the ATR and IPSP as guideposts, he made sure Army personnel and units will be provided with responsive training programs through the conduct of IPSP mission essential trainings (10 Mission Planning, 10 Stakeholders Engagement, and 10 Bayanihan Team Activities Trainings) in all infantry divisions. These training programs are reinforced by various activities aimed to enhance units’ appreciation on Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law, and Rule of Law.

To hone frontline units, he directed the conduct of seven unit trainings of five battalions under Battalion of Excellence Program. Also, there were 12 company sustainment trainings, 105 platoon sustainment trainings and 430 squad sustainment trainings conducted under his watch. Complementing these are training programs to improve leadership qualities of ground commanders composed of one Senior Leader’s Conference, 5 Battalion Commanders symposiums, 33 Platoon Leader’s Combat Proficiency Workshop, and five Senior NCO Leadership Symposiums.

In pursuit of the development of the Army's force structure, he initiated the crafting of the PA Table of Organization and Equipment (TOE). He activated 10 Forward Support Medical Companies in all infantry divisions and 76 medical platoons in all infantry battalions. He also directed the activation of 6th Special Forces Battalion and the Army Governance and Strategic Management Office that will carry out the transformation program of the Army. Through the Capability Upgrade Program, the Army received mission essential equipment that include 2,930 M4 Assault Rifles; 27,778 Kevlar Helmets; 4,379 Armored Vests; 137 1 ¼ ton trucks (KM450); 250 2 ½ ton trucks (KM250); 79 field ambulances; 2,775 Night Fighting System equipment; and four tractor dozers. Also acquired were 3,550 Individual First Aid Kits; 490 Combat Life Saving Kits, and 50 Mobile Medical Treatment Kits.

Typhoon victims receive more help from Army soldiers

 

 

 

DAVAO CITY- More help from the Army is delivered for the victims of typhoon Pablo that claimed the lives of at least two thousand people into two bordering provinces here in December last year.

Lt General Emmanuel Bautista, the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, personally handed-over the checks totaling P7,294,950.00 to at least 360 soldiers of the 10^th Infantry who were affected by the typhoon.

 

The money was voluntarily donated by all Army personnel out of their meal allowance for the month of January.

 

The beneficiaries of the financial assistance include the families of the seven soldiers who perished in the floods and four soldiers who have remained missing. The family of beneficiaries under this category will be given an assistance of P50,000.00 each.

 

Meanwhile, the 22 injured soldiers as well as the 111 others who have incurred at least P100,000.00 of damages in their residential homes, will receive P40,000.00 each.

Each of the 219 personnel whose homes incurred minor damages estimated to be less than one hundred thousand pesos, will receive an amount of P6,506.62 each.

As part of the program, 10 more soldiers were conferred the Bronze Cross Medal for acts of heroism involving risk of life, during the onslaught of typhoon Pablo.

 
It can be recalled that 21 other soldiers of the 66^th Infantry Battalion based in Andap, also received same citation for braving the floods to save hapless victims, causing the deaths of 7 soldiers and injuries to 21 others who survived after being swept away by strong currents.

Bautista said that he is happy that he is proud of the selfless services rendered by the soldiers during calamities.

“Masaya ako na tuloy-tuloy ninyong ginagampanan ang inyong mga tungkulin maging sa panahon ng mga kalamidad. Hindi lamang ang inyong Punong Heneral ang kumikilala sa inyong ginagawa kundi ang buong sambayanan, na nakakakita sa ating naipamalas na serbisyo at kabayanihan,” he said.

Scholarship grants

The members of the Philippine Military Class of 1981 have also selected 13 individuals from the typhoon ravaged town of New Bataan to be granted scholarship.

All of the scholars have relatives who perished in the heavy flooding that occurred on the day typhoon Pablo hit the areas in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental.

Vanessa Fe Baga, 18, of Poblacion, New Bataan was one of them. Two of her siblings are still missing and some of her relatives died during the floods that fateful day on December 4.

She said that she never thought that she will ever finish college after losing all their belongings and their livelihood sources wiped out.

“I couldn’t believe the news that I was handpicked among many other victims to become a full-time scholar. Now, I will be able to pursue my dream of finishing college so that I can get a decent job,”said Baga, a 3^rd year AB Social Science student of Bukidnon State University-New Bataan.

 

Marvin Detomal, 17, a long-time resident of Barangay Andap, lost both his parents in the rampaging floods that swept the whole neighborhood.

Detomal and two other siblings are now being adopted by a local official in New Bataan town. He never thought he will finish college education to achieve his dream of becoming a policeman.

“I am very thankful for this big help given to us by the generous military officers. I am aiming to get a degree in Criminology so that I could serve in the local police force here in my province in the near future,” said Detomal, a high school sophomore from Andap National High School.

Bautista said that the beneficiaries of the scholarship grants will receive modest allowances to sustain their studies until they finish college.

The support system for the PMA Class 81 scholarship grant is patterned to the one used by AFP Educational Benefit System Office.


 

Public advisory on police and military checkpoints

During the implementation of the COMELEC Gun Ban, police/military checkpoints will be established in strategic areas to implement the ban.

 

We should not be afraid of our law enforcers because they are required to follow legal procedures.

 

Likewise, every citizen is also entitled to his constitutional rights, specifically Section 2, Article III (Searches and Seizures).

 

I would like to share the previous Advisory Opinion signed by Secretary Leila De Lima in March 2011.

 

The intent of this advisory is to protect the public from abuses committed by law enforcers and to weed out illegal checkpoints.

Please read and understand the provisions:

1. Checkpoint must be well-lighted, properly identified and manned by uniformed personnel.
2. Upon approach, slow down, dim headlights and turn on cabin lights. Never step out of the vehicle.
3. Lock all doors. Only visual search is allowed.
4. Do not submit to a physical or bodily search.
5. You are not obliged to open glove compartment, trunk or bags.
6.  Ordinary/routine questions may be asked. Be courteous but firm with answers.
7.  Assert your rights, have presence of mind and do not panic.
8.  Keep your driver’s license and car registration handy and within reach.
9.  Be ready to use your cellphone at anytime. Speed dial emergency number.
10. Report violations immediately. Your actions may save others.


My own reminders:

Relax. Flash a smile. Be courteous. They are your protectors. Our uniformed servicemen are just doing their jobs. Let us support them.

Army's 8th ID accepts applicants for Candidate Soldier Course in Samar

 

 

 

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City – The 8^th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army based here is now accepting applicants for Candidate Soldier Course for the year 2013.
 

Lt.Col. Leo Lorenzo Madronal, the Personnel Officer of the unit, said that the processing of applicants will be from  January 14-19.
 

 

The Army requires applicants to be 18-26 years of age and at least 5 feet tall. Those who have passed the Philippine Army Aptitude and Test Battery (PAATB) will be considered for this year's quota.

 

The applicants must submit original copies of the following documents to be attached in a folder:  NSO-certified Birth Certificate; Form 137/Transcript of record; Diploma (HS/College if graduated); one (1) piece 2x2 ID picture with name tag and valid identification cards.

           
For further clarifications and inquiries, applicants can  contact Cpt Emerson A Borja, the unit's Recruitment Officer at telephone number 256 – 2199, local 3611.

 

Ang aking istilo ng leadership

BEST COMPANY STREAMER ang isinabit ni dating punong heneral ng Philippine Army na si  Lt Gen Jaime Delos Santos, sa company color ng 10th Scout Ranger Company na itinanghal bilang Best Company for Admin and Operations noong Nobyembre 25, 2001. Kasama rin sa larawan si dating First Scout Ranger Regiment Commander Col Gabriel Ledesma at si SOCOM Commander MGen Delfin Lorenzana. Nasungkit rin ng aking kumpanya ang Best Company for Administration Streamer sa taong 2000. (10SRC Photo) 

Sa militar, marami ang mga istilo ng pagdadala ng tao dahil ika nga, leadership is an art.

Merong mga established leadership principles sa military organization na minsan ay mino-modify lamang at nakikita mo rin sa mga civilian institutions.

Kahit sa mga banal na aklat kagaya ng Koran at Bibliya, napakarami ng natutunan nating mga istorya tungkol sa leadership.

Si Muhammad (PBUH) ay kilala sa kanyang kagalingan ng pagdadala ng tauhan hindi lamang sa mga bakbakan, ngunit pati na rin sa pagpairal ng disiplina at pagkakaisa ng komunidad ng Muslim sa kanyang kapanahunan.

Sa Bibliya naman ay makikita mga magagaling na pinuno na kagaya nina Gideon, Moses, at Hesus.

Marami sa mga nabanggit na mga kasulatan ang aking napag-aralan pati na rin ang mga naituro ng aking amang magsasaka noong aking kabataan. Lingid sa aking kaalaman, ang kanyang mga  naipamahagi ay mga leadership techniques na aking napakikinabangan sa aking buhay.

Maliit pa lang ako ng ako ay elementarya pa lamang, tinuturuan na akong maging matapang sa mga hamon sa buhay.

Lagi akong isinasama ng aking ama sa aming sakahan at minsan-minsan ay iniiwan na mag-isa sa aming kubo na mga 6 kilometro ang layo mula sa aming bahay.

Doon ko rin natutunan ang unang pamamaraan ng pamumuno ng tao sa aming sakahan. Dahil kami ay merong pinapatrabahong mga tauhan, sinasamahan ko ang mga ito sa pagtatabas ng aming palayan o maisan.

Napakainit, makati sa katawan at nakakapagod ang trabahong magsasaka ngunit ito ang aking unang classroom sa pagdadala ng mga tauhan.

Para hindi sila patulog-tulog o pabagal-bagal sa trabaho, dapat ay pangunahan ko ang pagtatabas na nasa tamang bilis para hindi lugi sa pasweldo. Kinalaunan ko na lang na-realize na leadership by good example pala iyon.

Samantala, iniintindi namin ang mga pangangailangan ng aming mga tauhan.  Nakikihalubilo kami sa kanila ng mabuti at tinatrato namin silang patas bilang taong merong dignidad. Dito ako natuto sa kanilang sariling salita at kultura ng katutubong Manobo.

Nang pinili kong manilbihan bilang isang kawal, don ko natutunan ang mas marami pang mga leadership principles.

Sa  pagkadete sa PMA ko nakilala ang mga iniidolong mandirigmang pinuno sa pagdadala ng tao na kagaya nina Alexander the Great, Hannibal, si Genghiz Khan at marami pang iba.

Magaling na pamumuno

Malaki ang aking paniniwala na talagang walang ipinanganak na magaling na lider na kagaya ng mga sinaunang paniniwala na kung saan ang pagiging Hari ay mana-mana lamang.

Kung anak ka ng magaling na Heneral ay hindi iyon ibig sabihin ay magaling ka na rin dahil sa apelyido na iyong dala.

Hindi rin totoong kapag matalino o henyo ay magaling na sa pamumuno. Katunayan ay hindi sumikat si Rizal bilang pinuno kundi ang kagaya ni Andres Bonifacio at maging si Jesse Robredo.

Dahil dyan, nagpapatawa ang nagyayabang na magaling diumano sila na lider o opisyal dahil sila ay Deans Lister at panay 90+ ang mga grado sa kanilang mga kursong kinuha.

Ang kagalingan sa pamumuno ay hindi sa mga grado sa silid-aralan ngunit kung ano ang kinahinatnan sa kanyang pinamumunuan na dapat masagot sa simpleng katanungan: Naging magaling ba ang yunit o opisina? Naging matino ba ang mga tauhan? Naging agent of positive change ba ang naturang lider?

Para maging magaling na pinuno ay dapat merong pagmamahal sa kanyang ginagawa ang isang lider. Inuuna nya ang kapakanan ng organisasyon kaysa sariling interes. Dapat positibo ang pag-iisip nito, marunong gumawa ng paraan,  at hindi panay reklamo sa mga problemang nasusuungan. 

Ginagawa rin dapat ng isang lider para umunlad ang kanyang kaalaman sa mga bagay-bagay na kinakailangan para sa kanyang pamumuno, at ang kaalaman na ito ay ipamahagi sa mga tauhan para mapalaganap ang kagalingan ng lahat.

Isa rin sa mahalagang ginagawa ng lider ay dalhin sa tamang direksyon ang kanyang yunit o organisasyon. Dapat klaro ang kanyang gustong abutin at naipaiintindi nya ito nang mabuti sa bawat isa sa kanyang mga tauhan.

Hindi dapat isantabi ang kahalagahan ng integridad ng isang pinuno. Napakasimple lang ito: gawin mo ang iyong sinasabi at wag maging 'plastik'.

Para maipakita ito, mahalaga ang pagpapairal ng transparency lalo na sa pamamahala ng unit funds. Sa aking kumpanya, ang pondo ay hawak ng Ex-O, First Sergeant at Finance NCO at kahit sino ay pwedeng tumingin saan napunta ang aming kapiranggot na kayamanan.

Ito na marahil ang hindi nagagampanan ng maraming mga naitatalagang lider. Problema nga naman kung nagpapasunod ka ng isang kautusan ngunit ayaw mo itong gagawin.

Sa militar, ang matino at magaling na lider ay nagsasabing: "Attack, follow me!". Samantala, ang balasubas at nakakahiyang lider ay nagsasabing: "Attack, I will follow you!" at "You must behave properly (except me kasi opisyal ako)".

Nang ninais kong magmukhang karespe-respetong sundalo ang hitsura ng 10th SRC, nauna akong magpagupit ng maayos at sumunod na silang lahat.

Hindi naman sa lahat ng panahon na literal ang  ibig sabihin sa leadership by good example ngunit ang pinakamahalaga dito ay nakukuha ng isang lider ang respeto ng mga tao dahil sa ipinapakitang kagalingan, katinuan at pagkakalinga sa mga tauhan.

Napakahalaga para sa isang lider na kaya nyang intindihin ang nasa puso't isipan ng mga tauhan. He must be able to touch the hearts of the subordinates, at kung magagawa nya yon, siguradong hindi rin sya iiwan nito maging buhay man ay nakasalalay.

Caring for the soldiers

Sa mga sundalong Pilipino, tinitingala ang lider kung ito ay matino (hindi magnanakaw, makasarili, balasubas at kupal), magaling (maraming alam na soldiery skills o sa  pagdadala ng tao, at magaling na maghanap ng solusyon ng problema), at syempre, marunong tumingin sa kapakanan ng mga tauhan.

Sa pagtingin ng kapakanan ng mga tauhan, dito naman ibabalanse ang para sa organisasyon at para sa sarili. Kung hindi kasi aware ang lider, panay pagbibigay na lang pala sa kapritso ng tauhan ang ginagawa under the guise of 'morale and welfare'.

Para sa akin, ang tunay na 'caring for the soldiers' ay hindi lamang sa pagtitingin sa mga bagay na dapat maibigay sa kanila para sila ay mapasaya. Dapat, sinisigurado at tinitimbang ng isang lider ang importansya ng pagpairal ng disiplina na kung saan ay merong pagkakataon na dapat ang misyon o tungkulin sa bayan ang dapat inuuna.

Halimbawa, kung pag-bigyan lagi ang tauhan na mag-AWOL o mag extend ng leaves dahil sa pagbibigay ng 'morale', nasasakripisyo naman ang disiplina. Maliban kung tunay at makatotohanang 'emergency situations' ang dahilan, hindi ito dapat pinapabayaan.

Sa mga panahong merong misyong dapat isakatuparan, ang disiplinadong sundalo ay hindi magdalawang isip na isantabi ang para sa sarili dahil sa military service ay 'mission comes first before self'.

Meron ding mga sitwasyon na ang mga sundalo ay gustong gawin ang mga bagay na labag sa pinapairal na military discipline dahil ito ay nakakapagpasaya sa kanila. Ang mga ehemplo nito ay ang pagpapahaba ng buhok (feeling cool ala James Bond), paglalasing na naka-uniporme, pagsasabong o pagsusugal sa kampo at maging ang pag-babalasubas ng uniporme.

Of course, andyan din yong mga sundalong tila ay ginagawang bakasyunan ang serbisyo, ayaw dumanas ng mahirap na assignments at walang 'attitude' na gumawa ng mahihirap na mga tungkulin. Ito yong tipong kamas-kamas magtrabaho at hindi makapag-keep in step sa lahat dahil sa masamang ugali.

Napakahalagang pinapairal lagi ang disiplina dahil ang sundalong walang  disiplina ay isa sa pinakadelikadong nilalang sa mundo.

Isipin mo na lang kung ang mga sundalong pinayagan mong mag-iinuman dahil sa 'morale and welfare', ay nagbabarilan tuwing nalalasing o kaya mga trigger-happy na hindi kumikilala sa kautusan ng mga pinuno.

Para walang mangyaring disgrasyang nagkakabarilan sa inuman, simple ang aking polisiya:


   1. Wag uminom kung may duty o incoming mission;
   2.  Bawal uminom na walang rason (bday, anniversary celebration, promotions) at mas lalo na kung walang pambayad;
   3.  Walang magsuot ng uniporme sa inuman lalo sa public places;
   4.  Dapat magpaalam na iinom at may NCO na namamahala;
   5.  Kung may scheduled physical training exercise kinaumagahan hindi pwede excused ang naglasing sa gabi;
    6. Kapag merong nagpasaway, kasalanan ng NCO at mapasama sa makasuhan;
   7.  Kapag humawak ng baril at namumutok pag nalasing, tandaan na ako ay hindi mag hesitate gumamit ng shooting skills para ipagtanggol ang iba (at kaya kong magpatama sa layong isang kilometro).
  

(Note: Sa awa ng Diyos wala ni isang sumubok na sumuway sa aking kautusan na ito)

Conclusion

Ating mapapansin na paiba-iba ang istilo ng leadership na ginagamit sa mga opisina o yunit dahil sa kakaibang sitwasyon na kinakaharap.

 Napakarami ang mga teknika ng pamumuno na pwedeng gamitin ngunit ang bottom line ay: Leadership is about influencing others. Kung papano isinakatuparan ang art of influencing, nakukuha ito sa pagsisiyasat at pag-aaral.

 Sa militar, mas napapadali pa ang pagpapasunod dahil kapag naitatalaga ang isang pinuno ay meron itong authority at powers sa mga taong pinamumunuan. Ngunit, hindi sa lahat ng panahon na idinadaan sa ranggo o pwestong hawak ang pagpapasunod sa mga subordinates dahil after all, pangsamantala lang ang lahat (ranggo, pwesto at serbisyo).

Para sa akin ang epektibo na military leader ay kinakatakutan kung kailangan,  at nirerespeto sa lahat ng pahanon dahil sa angking katinuan at kagalingan at pagmamahal sa serbisyo.

Yan lang ang paraan para maitataguyod ang mga reporma na kailangan sa organisasyon.