AFP eyes survey to assess performance vs threat groups

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is planning to conduct a study to assess its performance against communist and secessionist rebels not only through combat operations but also through civilian-military work. Interviewed on Tuesday, Armed Forces chief Gen. Ricardo David said he wants to know if the military “is winning the hearts and minds of the people." “I asked our J7 (deputy chief of staff for civil military operations) and the J2 (deputy chief of staff for intelligence) to have a survey nationwide or ask a survey firm [to know] how our Armed Forces is winning the hearts and minds of the people," David said. David made the announcement after a command conference at the Navy headquarters in Manila presided by President Benigno Aquino III. David said the survey may be conducted in communist affected areas, including Davao, the Caraga region, Bicol, Negros and Samar, among others. He said a survey may also be done in areas considered as bailiwicks of secessionist Moro rebels like Cotabato. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the survey aims to determine the strong and weak points of the military in their campaign against threat groups. “You have to know what your shortcomings, your strong points, your weak points are and reinforce your weak points to become strong points. In the process, what you are doing actually is communicating down to the populace," said Gazmin. Gazmin said the survey may be done by non-military people “so that you get the real pulse of the people." He said the survey may also serve as basis in relieving military personnel who are not performing well for possible retraining. - KBK, GMANews.TV