Determination
is key to a world-class AFP, says Gen. Dela Cruz
By
Felipo David G. Malcampo
ZAMBOANGA
CITY, Jan. 25 (PIA) – During his New Year’s call with the officers and visitors
of the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) last Wednesday, newly-installed
commander Lt. Gen. Mayoralgo Dela Cruz said that they key to having a
world-class armed forces is every soldiers’ steel determination in doing
everything to protect the interest of the Filipinos.
“Sa
amin, di masusukat ang pagiging world-class sa gamit lamang (being world-class
cannot be sole measured by equipment alone),” Gen. Dela Cruz told his men
adding “dapat buo ang loob natin (we have to have strong will).”
The
Wesmincom commander cited the national government for the procurement of new
equipment such as jets, choppers, boats and weapons, but also emphasized that
if being world-class is not measured alone by said modern equipment.
“We
cannot say that we are as modern as other countries, but we compensate (it)
with our determination (to serve and protect),” he stressed.
Gen.
Dela Cruz said that while many other nations have more modern equipment, there
are instances when these equipment eventually fall into the enemies’ hands.
“There are instances when, given these new equipment, you do not even know how
to use them. Worst, the enemy gets hold of the equipment, and it may seem that
you modernize the enemy.”
He
also stressed that “whatever happens, we will not let the enemy get hold of our
equipment, if possible, we should be the ones to take away their equipment.”
He put
out a word to soldiers who have been through years of schooling. “All of us
have gone to schooling at some point, while the enemy is just learning at the
sidelines,” he said, adding that this should be enough motivation for the
soldiers to succeed in their operations.
