Filtered By: Topstories
News

AFP chief to soldiers: Pass physical fitness first before promotion


MANILA, Philippines - Pass physical fitness first before promotion. This was the message given by new Armed Forces chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano to all soldiers Tuesday as he stressed the importance of a stronger and healthier military force. “What is certain is we will vigorously push for the conduct of the physical fitness test not only in GHQ (general headquarters) but AFP-wide. I hope that that should be clear to all of us as a prerequisite for designation to key positions and promotion,” Yano said. Yano gave the challenge during the change of office ceremony for the AFP deputy chief of staff and AFP deputy chief of staff for operations in Camp Aguinaldo. The new AFP deputy chief, Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, replaced incoming Central Command chief Lt. Gen. Pedro Ike Insierto. On the other hand, Brig. Gen. Romeo Lustestica has been chosen as the new AFP deputy chief of staff for operations, replacing Maj. Gen. Rolando Detabali who is now commander of the 2nd Infantry Division. Yano, who assumed the top AFP post Monday, said no one will be exempted in his directive. “Physical fitness has always been as old as the organization itself. It’s been a requirement for everybody to be generally fit and there is no exemption. It doesn’t say that generals are exempted so we will tow the line,” he said. To show this, Yano said he along with AFP Vice Chief Lt. Gen. Cardozo Luna and the new AFP deputy chief will lead the way in the taking and passing the PFT. Citing standing military policy, Yano said the elder military personnel take the PFT on a semestral basis, while the younger ones take it on a quarterly basis. Exercises under the PFT include a two-mile run and a number of sit-ups and push ups. “We will make sure that that we not only take but pass the PFT. I hope that is heard very clear that everybody, even my service commanders (chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force). I don’t think I’m violating any policy in doing that,” Yano said. Aside from promotions and designations to key positions, Yano said passing the PFT will also be the criteria for foreign deployments and schoolings abroad. “So it should be a very strict requirement,” he said. “We don’t even have to talk about other qualifications, first and foremost we have to take and pass the PTF even before you are considered for promotions, designations and deployment and other privileges that a military officer or enlisted personnel should enjoy,” he added. After the ceremony, Yano admitted that the PFT may have not been given utmost importance in the past, although he said that he has espoused the measure as Army chief. Yano is set to relinquish his post as Army chief to Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado Wednesday. “We will implement it strictly. Perhaps in the past it may not have been given due importance but now, I will make it as a requirement and just implement it and I will do it myself and lead the way as I have done as Army chief,” he said. - GMANews.TV
LOADING CONTENT