PRIORITY AGENDA OF SECRETARY GILBERT “GIBO” TEODORO AS SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE (SND)
Human Rights Advocacy. Sec. Gibo has always been a consistent advocate of the need to uphold the dignity and worth of each and every human being, regardless of status in life. Under his term as SND, the DND intensified its campaign to ensure that AFP and DND personnel are continually updated and oriented on human rights matters such as dealing with children involved in and affected by armed conflict, the elimination of racial discrimination, convention against torture, political violence, investigating human rights violation cases, and international rules on military operations.
• This advocacy resulted to, among others, the revision and formulation of various AFP manuals and conduct of troop reorientation seminars to improve rules of engagement with utmost consideration in respecting individual human rights and enhance awareness of military personnel on human rights.
• The DND and AFP also engaged in collaborations with various groups and sectors such as the Commission on Human Rights, the Red Cross, the religious sector, other countries’ Armed Forces, and the Supreme Court, particularly on rules governing the Writs of Amparo, Habeas Data and other rulings. The Department was also one of the first government agencies to initiate para-legal seminars on Writ of Amparo and Writ of Habeas Data
Institutionalization of Reforms within the DND. When Sec. Gibo assumed the DND post in August 2007, he underscored his desire to institutionalize reforms in the Defense Department that would enhance defense service, systems, procedures and capabilities and put in place a “stronger, rational and strategy-based national defense policy”. In order to achieve this, he supported the implementation of the Defense System of Management which aims at providing a systematic approach in identifying realistic resource needs that can be supported to attain current and future capabilities of the whole Department and in determining systemic flaws in the Defense Department which the Philippine Defense Reform (PDR) Program seek to address. Sec. Gibo likewise assumed full responsibility of the reform program when he took over the chairmanship of the PDR Board.
Public Assistance. Sec. Gibo activated the Public Assistance Desk of DND which resulted to fast-tracked and personalized actions on requests and complaints forwarded to the DND. Since its activation in 2008, the PAD was able to handle hundreds of cases covering assistance for PVAO benefits, financial, indorsements, AFP benefits and medical assistance.
Transparency Measures. Sec. Gibo stressed that transparency will not be sacrificed over the need for expeditious procurements for the Defense Capability Upgrade Program. Under his watch, DND entered into a MOA with Citizens Against Corruptions and MBC to strengthen their role as observers of DND Bids and Awards (BAC) proceedings at all stages of procurement to promote transparency. Sec. Gibo also directed conduct of investigations to assure the regularity of proceedings and to further uphold the primary concepts of justice and fair play. This resulted to the filing of complaint before the Office of Ombudsman against officials of the DND and AFP considered responsible for the irregularities in the attack helicopters NCAH Project and resulted in the declaration of a failed bidding that insulated the project cost of Php1.2 Billion from corruption.
AFP Capability Upgrade Program. Since September 2007, various contracts were approved under the AFP Capability Program. Among which includes contracts for Fixed Communication System, Squad Automatic Weapon, 1 ¼ Ton Troop Carrier, APC M113, UHF Communication System, EOD Bomb Suit, Army Watercraft, Multi-purpose Attack Craft, Basic Trainer Aircraft and Fokker F-28 JET IRAN. It was also during the term of Secretary Teodoro when the Coast Watch South was activated. This provides the first line of defense towards detecting and interdicting unlawful activities of sea-going vessels passing through the southern corridors of the Philippines.
Strengthening the Legal Offensives of the AFP. Sec. Gibo placed a primer on the importance of increased legal awareness and competency in military operations. This led to the creation of the AFP Joint Intelligence Committee, Subcommittee on Legal Offensives, among others.
Disaster Risk Management. Among the priorities that Sec. Gibo underscored on his assumption as Chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), was the need to take a proactive stance on the holistic concept of disaster risk management instead of mere disaster response and to involve and enhance the risk management capability of the local government units.
• Under preparedness and mitigation, the NDCC / OCD has supported various projects, to include, the implementation of the Hazard Mapping and Assessment for Effective Community Based Risk Management dubbed as the READY Project, development of early warning systems, advocacy campaigns and contingency plans; establishment of Community-Based Flood Early Warning Systems, development of Building Emergency Evacuation Plan (BEEP), among others.
• Disaster preparedness training, management and relief operations are undertaken by the Office of Civil Defense in tandem with the Armed Forces. This is replicated from the national and regional to the provincial, city or municipal levels and filtered down to the barangays. Community development projects are carried out by both the civilian agencies and military units, in coordination/cooperation with the local leaders in the area/s where such projects are implemented.
• More disaster coordinating councils down to the level of barangay and volunteer civil groups have been organized. For 2008, OCD has organized / reorganized a total of 670 disaster coordinating councils, 30 disaster control groups, 14 rescue groups, 39 volunteer groups and 30 civil defense action groups.
• The OCD Operations Center continuously monitors, coordinates and records disaster incidents such as typhoons, floodings, fire incidents, oil spill, sea mishaps, armed conflicts, erosion, etc. and facilitated coordination of disaster response operations and rehabilitation initiatives (disasters for 2008 include Typhoon Frank and Cosme and the Mindanao Armed Conflict). OCD also facilitates evaluation for the release of financial assistance to support immediate recovery and rehabilitation in disaster-striken areas: Release to various LGUs from 2008 National Calamity Fund amounted to Php3.679 Billion (inclusive of relief assistance due for those affected by Typhoon Frank).
Support for Veterans Affairs. Sec. Gibo prioritized improving services for veterans. It was during his term when an all-out war against “fixers” was waged. Several individuals were caught / apprehended, some of whom are PVAO employees now facing administrative and criminal charges. One employee was already dismissed from the service.
• Task Force “Bayad Agad” was also created to expedite processing of payments of arrearages to pensioners. Processing time of old age pension has been reduced from 60 days (2001) to 16 days.
• Stimulus Package for Filipino WWII veterans. On 17 February 2009, US President Barack Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. It includes, among others, the grant of a one-time lump-sum payment to all eligible Filipino WWII veterans. An estimated 6,000 veterans with US citizenship will receive a lump-sum payment of $15,000 and 12,000 non-US citizens will receive a lump-sum payment of $9,000.
Resolving the Internal Security Threat. With the President’s mandate to resolve the internal security threat by year 2010, the DND has focused its resources towards accomplishing this objective. In CY 2008, internal security operations resulted in the net reduction of 522 CT members, 305 high-powered firearms, 538 affected barangays, and 25 guerilla fronts.
• A total of 442 armed engagements have been recorded between the AFP and the MILF, of which 248 were punitive actions by the AFP while 198 were initiated by the MILF. These engagements resulted in the killing of 143 MILF combatants, 32 captured, 13 apprehended and 69 surrendered. The AFP also recovered 47 high-powered firearms from the MILF.
• The AFP carried out intensive operations against the ASG that resulted in 57 armed engagements. Twenty-seven ASG members were killed, 11 captured, 13 apprehended and three surrendered. The AFP also recovered 11 high-powered firearms from the bandits. Nineteen key ASG personalities were neutralized.
Support for Nation Building. From a focus on combat capability, the defense community’s approach in pursuing the nation’s security objectives has been broadened into a “whole of government” strategy. Notable in this recognition is the success of the Balik-Baril project through which the AFP extends financial and livelihood assistance to rebel returnees who voluntarily turn over their firearms and return to the fold of lawful society. In 2008, 206 CTMs and 12 SPSGs surrendered under the program and turned in 236 firearms and 5 explosives.
• Sec. Gibo is also at the forefront of the implementation of Kalayaan Barangay Program, which was crafted to ensure that national development efforts reach even the critical areas affected by the insurgent or secessionist movements. 501 KBP projects were implemented (258 school buildings, 147 water supply systems and 96 farm-to-market roads) for CY 2008 of which 423 of which were completed. For CY 2009 an estimated 200 projects have been programmed and are currently being undertaken in various barnagays in Luzon and Visayas.
