AFP to show soldiers’ ‘human side’ on TV program
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will come up with a television program that will highlight the human side of soldiers, its spokesman said on Monday. âOur objective here is to show that the soldiers are not only for warfare. We are also family men, we also have emotions. We fall in and out of love," said Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta at a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo. He said they may tap the government-owned station NBN-4 for it, and that they are already talking with their âfriends" in Malacañang regarding the project, particularly on the aspect of expenditures. âIt was discussed by some friends from Malacañang that we may be able to tap NBN-4 I guess for a discount," Mabanta said. Mabanta said there have been no discussions yet on the specific amount that would be spent for the program. He predicted that it would be âvery minimal." This will not be the first program about the lives of soldiers outside of military operations. From 2007 to 2008 the AFP had "Katapatan sa Watawat at Lipunan (K.A.W.A.L.)", which was also aired on NBN-4. Spokesmen's meeting Meanwhile, Mabanta disclosed that he and other government spokesmen met with presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda and Manolo Quezon of President Benigno Aquino IIIâs communications group Sunday. Mabanta said the meeting âwas called so that we will be able to do our work, say our piece going towards one general direction." He said they decided to meet on a regular monthly basis. âWe will be meeting monthly which is very good. We have to keep and tie up our acts together, speak as one with one objective because we are all working for one government." Mabanta said the meetings were initiated by Lacierda, and secretaries Herminio Coloma and Ricky Carandaang of the Communications Group. - KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV