The Daily Manila Shimbun

 

AFP to hold regular silent drills after Duterte’s order

December 21, 2019



The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has assured the regular conduct of silent drill performances following the directive issued by President Rodrigo Duterte during the National ROTC Summit and 1st Presidential Silent Drill Competition in Manila on Friday.

“We will comply with the directive of the President and Commander-in-Chief to have regular Silent Drill performances. We will determine the details,” Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesman, said on Saturday.

During the event, Duterte ordered the AFP to spearhead the daily conduct of silent drill to honor Dr. Jose Rizal and the country.

Arevalo said the silent drill can be performed on a “regular rotational basis” by the academy cadets and students of officer candidate schools of the military who joined last Friday’s competition held at the Quirino Grandstand.

“The contingent of seven competing teams is comprised by academy cadets and students of officer candidate schools. Except for the midshipmen and midshipwomen of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA), all are training for commissionship as an officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. And as such, the Silent Drill Teams’ performances could be had on a regular rotation basis,” he said.

Arevalo said AFP Chief of Staff General Noel Clement lauded the Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines from the Philippine Military Academy for winning the competition.

During the competition, the PMA cadets received P300,000 for winning the first place while the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) won P200,000 pesos and P100,000 for PMMA.

“Members of the teams that vied for the title have shown discipline, stamina, precision, teamwork, camaraderie, and esprit ‘d corps,” said Arevalo.

“These attributes are what the officer-candidates of the AFP must show that they posses-beyond the competition,” he added. Robina Asido/DMS