M. A. P. Insights
By Lt. Gen. Jaime S. de los Santos
The Commander-In-Chief brings change to the army
Last Oct. 5, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presided over the Change of Command Ceremony of the Philippine Army (PA), the AFP’s premier service. In his speech, he made a major policy statement that would rationalize the management and utilization of the military’s real estate assets as one of the major sources of the AFP’s modernization program.
But before I elaborate on the details, I wish to dwell on one of the rich traditions of the military service, the change of command. It signifies not only the continuity of command and the institution, but also the continuity of leadership excellence.
THE TIME-HONORED CHANGING OF THE GUARD
The PA through the years has created an environment that provides the opportunity and the mechanisms for its officers to grow and mature as leaders and as commanders. This environment provides the continuity of excellence of leadership in the organization, a necessity to preserve and strengthen its core and foundation. Translated in terms of national interest, it signifies security stability, peace and development.
All leaders eventually leave their posts, especially in the military service. In the AFP, an officer’s tenure prescribes a mandatory retirement age. It is planned and implemented to the latter. Ideally, the planning and implementation of leadership transitions takes about two years or even more. The quality and success of a leader is greatly influenced by the manner of transition. The absence of a mechanism of transition will create a vacuum at the center of power.
In the military service, seniority commands an important factor by virtue of a time-honored tradition. Rarely has this been challenged. Through the years, the PA has also developed an enlightened mind-set that puts a premium on professional strength, potential and value to the organization. The assumption of MGen Rolando Bautista as Commanding General, PA, and many of the past commanders are the beneficiaries and the product of a culture of meritocracy.
General Bautista is a soldier’s soldier, a man of loyalty and courage, a tested combat officer whose character is beyond reproach. As overall commander of Task Force Marawi, he provided the professional demeanor and discipline which set the standard for all officers and personnel to emulate. His disregard for his safety and security made him the rallying point that provided the inertia and momentum in every phase of the operation. The hard work is bringing in the wins. It is hoped that, eventually, the situation in Marawi will arrive at a definitive conclusion.
As a value-added, Gen. Bautista is one of the few top commanders with international exposure and experience. He has served as a staff officer in the Operations Division of the United Nations Multinational Force in East Timor. The continuing participation of AFP units in international peacekeeping operations is one of the redeeming factors that place the Filipino soldier at par with the rest of the world. East Timor is one mission where the Filipino soldier performed credibly well; it has no parallel in terms of the numbers and the accomplishments.
Gen. Bautista belongs to this class of achievers. Hence, great expectations are expected of him, and the nation and the people await his next moves. He can make the big difference.
CHANGING FOR THE BETTER
The PA Change of Command Ceremony became even more meaningful with the policy pronouncement from the Commander-In-Chief (CIC) to enhance and strengthen the operational requirements of the military service, and providing the wherewithal in order to be more credible.
With a fast-growing population, the defense budget has to compete with social services, education, infrastructure, and others. While the budget is not unlimited, to relegate defense to the sidelines is exposing the nation to great risks.
The main thrust of the President’s speech revolved around the disposition and utilization of military reservations in order to generate additional income that can be channeled for use in the defense budget. This breakthrough idea reflects the vision and sincerity of a CIC which no other past CICs has done.
Past presidents used the BCDA law to satisfy political interests rather than the defense and security interests. I cannot imagine or explain the fate that befell the old Fort Bonifacio. The sale of the massive complex, now known as Bonifacio Global City or BGC, was supposed to provide the means to modernize the AFP. Instead, it was used only to feed the greedy appetite of a few businessmen-oligarchs.
Look at BGC’s present grandeur and modernity, and then compare it with the obscure facilities of the headquarters of the PA, the seat and symbol of military strength and power. It is treated as a squatter in a land that used to be its bailiwick for many generations.
How can we expect respect from our ASEAN allies when the government cannot provide the basic needs to make the AFP a truly credible, formidable force? Yet, when crisis erupts, the soldiers are always at the forefront of risks and dangers to ensure the safety and security of the republic.
A secure and well-defended nation is in a better position to encourage more business opportunities. The beneficiaries of the Fort Bonifacio sale are the traditional big names in business. They have profited immensely from an irrational policy of military land use. And the irony is that the extreme sacrifice of the soldier has benefitted big business, not the institution that made it possible for the secure environment that allows business investments to be more attractive and to eventually thrive.
The prescribed manner of the future utilization of military real estate properties is through a lease or joint venture with a responsible and financial capable private or public enterprises, the proceeds of which in both cases will accrue to and be allocated for military modernization.
In the first option, the control of the asset remains perpetually with the AFP since there is no change in ownership. It will ensure a steady stream of revenues, unlike the sale of the old Fort Bonifacio which resulted in a one-shot deal. The military’s ownership was extinguished upon the final sale of the property. One big sale, ballyhooed and bannered as the beginning of a modern and modernizing AFP, and then it was done, and gone. There never was a proper accounting of the proceeds, hence a lot of leakages occurred in the allocation, and questions are unanswered too.
The other option of joint venture likewise offers an assurance of share in the profits of financially viable and high-yielding projects. The downside is the risk of a loss if it becomes financially unsound due to an economic crisis. Private business participants in the future must exhibit their sense of patriotism by balancing profit with the greater interest that will serve as an engine to modernize the AFP. We expect to see many instances of corporate social responsibility at its best.
To demonstrate the President’s seriousness of purpose, he intimated the designation of the outgoing Army Commander as a member of the BCDA Board. The planned designation insures the representation of military interests and concerns.
The whole AFP community awaits the progress of this policy pronouncement and its implementation in the near future. This can even trigger the development of a military-industrial complex that can eventually participate in the ASEAN military and defense markets. Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand all export defense equipment. With Filipino ingenuity, industry, managerial competence, and a deep sense of nationalism, this too is possible for the Philippines.
The Change of Command Ceremony was even more meaningful because the long-standing dilemma on how to fund the AFP Modernization Program got a much-needed shot in the arm. The future is bright, the hopes are high, the men and women in uniform have something bigger to look forward to. All because change is coming, in a good and lasting way. Thank you, Mr. President.
The article reflects the personal opinion of the author and does not reflect the official stand of the Management Association of the Philippines or the M.A.P.
(Ret.) Lt. Gen. Jaime S. de los Santos is a member of the M.A.P. National Issues Committee, 42nd Commanding General, Philippine Army, 1st Force Commander, UN Peace-Keeping Force in East Timor and Professorial Lecturer of Management at UP Diliman.
