DND‘S Galvez to military: Resolve ammo wastage report
DEFENSE Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. has directed the military to ensure it properly manages, conserves and utilizes its logistics after he was informed of a “high level” of ammunition wastage in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The report of a high amount of spillage comes as the military scrimps for funds just to be able to support its ongoing modernization program, which requires billions of funds to be sustained and supported.
The report was disclosed by Galvez during the first flag raising ceremony of the Department of National Defense under him as its secretary, a post that he took merely a week ago from his predecessor, Jose Faustino Jr.
“It has come to my attention that there is a high level of wastage in ammunition in the different branches of the AFP. We should avoid this from happening,” Galvez said.
The defense chief said the military must take care and conserve its logistical resources, saying it should focus on preventing wastage “at all levels.”
Galvez said he had already ordered as to how the military could still put into good use the wasted ammunition, whose quantity and volume it is still being looked into.
One possibility that is being considered, he said, is to use the ammunition in target training without necessarily risking the health and safety of soldiers.
Following his disclosure, Galvez said he had directed the military to fully optimize the use of its resources and logistics.
Meanwhile, the defense secretary said the reported grumbling in the military have already been resolved, saying the root cause have been addressed.
He said the uneasiness among the soldiers was spawned by the issues of promotion, designation and the law fixing a three-year term for senior key officers.
Galvez said 39 promotions and designations have been signed by the Commander-inchief while Congress is already moving to amend the law on the three-year term.
The efforts, Galvez said, brought back the high morale in the AFP.