Philippines Army (photo : Army Recognition)
MANILA,
Philippines - The Department of National Defense (DND) wants to reduce
the number of infantry and marine battalions in the next few years as
the military moves towards enhancing its territorial defense capability.
The
restructuring program would channel resources to priority areas like
boosting maritime security and territorial defense to enforce the
country’s sovereign rights at the Kalayaan Island Group.
“Our
territorial defense needs for this planning period will essentially be
met by our forces that are engaged in internal security operations in
priority regions and our units in non-priority regions,” the DND said in
a planning guidance issued to the military.
Documents
obtained by The STAR show that the Army infantry battalions would be
reduced to 81 this year from 85 in 2011. The number of active duty
battalions would be slashed gradually in the succeeding years until it
reaches 54 in 2018.
The
number of infantry brigade headquarters would be cut to 27 this year
from 31 last year. It would be reduced further in the succeeding years
until it reaches 18 in 2015.
On
the other hand, the number of infantry divisions would be reduced to
nine this year from 10 last year. The number of divisions would be down
to six by 2015.
The
DND plan, however, seeks to form two battalions for Rapid Deployment
Forces by 2015. It also wants to create one infantry battalion for
peacekeeping operations this year.
DND
said the personnel and equipment from the units to be deactivated would
be reapplied to other priorities like filling up the needs of remaining
forces.
The
marine battalions would also be reduced to 10 this year from 12 last
year. Only nine marine battalions would be retained in 2013.
However,
a marine battalion would be formed and would undergo retraining this
year while another one would be created for peacekeeping tasks next
year.
Even the military’s elite forces would be covered by the restructuring plan.
The four active duty combat groups would be reduced to two this year and would be deactivated in 2013.
On
the other hand, the Special Operations Combat Support Group would be
abolished in 2013. The DND plan, however, called for the creation of a
ground-based air defense system group next year.
The DND has asked the military to submit a plan to ensure the smooth implementation of the restructuring program.
The
DND planning guidance listed as the top resource priority the
improvement of the country’s maritime security and territorial defense
capabilities.
The
DND also plans to streamline the armed forces’ civil-military
operations (CMO) battalions, which conduct development projects in areas
of conflict.
The
10 CMO battalions would be reduced gradually until these are abolished
in 2017. The Armed Forces’ National Development Support Command, which
works with private groups to provide basic services, would be scrapped
this year.
