Congress Chair on Defense, Security holds consultative visit to EastMinCom

NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - House of Representatives Committee Chairperson on National Defense and Security and Iloilo 5th District Representative, Hon. Raul "Boboy" C. Tupas paid a visit to the Headquarters Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) on November 30.

 

EastMinCom Commander, LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, accompanied by his Officers, Enlisted Personnel, and Civilian Human Resources, welcomed and rendered him with sideboys honor.

 

The said visit seeks to consult the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) regarding their views and opinions on the implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 11709, which was signed into law by Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on April 13, 2022.

 

The policy prescribes fixed terms among the AFP key Officers, increases the mandatory retirement age of Generals/Flag Officers, and provides a new attrition system among its personnel.

 

In a Consultative Meeting, the team of Cong. Tupas provided a space for the Ground Commanders, Staff Officers, and selected Enlisted Personnel under EastMinCom to air their concerns on the provision of RA 11709 and recommend possible amendments.

 

Present were the Commanders/Representatives under the Joint Task Forces Agila, Diamond, Seahawk, Haribon, and Tactical Operations Wing - Eastern Mindanao.

 

Cong. Devina Grace C. Yu of the 1st District of Zamboanga del Sur, Cong. Mercedes K. Alvarez of the 6th District of Negros Occidental, Chief of the AFP’s Office for Legislative Affairs, BGen. Acmad U. Omar Jr. and other representatives of concerned offices under the AFP and Congress were also present as part of the consultative team.

 

In his message, the Chairperson thanked LtGen. Almerol and the attendees for the productive consultation. He also assured to bring all the recommendations they have raised to Congress to improve the law.

 

"We have learned so much from you. We assure to the best of our efforts to push the recommendations to enhance the law, for the good of the institution," Cong. Tupas said.

 

Meanwhile, LtGen. Almerol also praised the Congressman for paying a visit to EastMinCom, which he said allowed them to engage the legislative side of the national government through his representation.

"We appreciate your gesture of spending time and looking into our concerns on the ground. Thank you, sir! For that, we assure you also our full support in all the policies you would propose in the Congress for the benefit of our country's defense and security," he expressed.###