MANILA – Newly-appointed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, said the military will continue implementing the “Whole-of-Nation-Approach” in dealing with the various security issues besetting the country.
He made this response when asked how he plans to deal with the various security challenges in the country as AFP chief.
“In addressing all these security challenges, the Whole-of-Nation-Approach’, we will continue implementing that, we will continue collaborating, linking with our agencies (and other partners),” Gapay said during the virtual press briefing shortly after his assumption ceremony Monday.
He added the “Whole-of-Nation-Approach” is a comprehensive response as it involves everyone.
“(It is a) all hands on deck (approach), all force multipliers will be involved in addressing all these security challenges confronting our country,” Gapay said.
Some of the pressing security problems in the Philippines include the New People’s Army, the Abu Sayyaf Group, the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, and the effects of adverse weather conditions as the country has entered the typhoon season, he added.
While the AFP is trained to handle these situations, Gapay said the military needs support of the Filipino public and other government agencies in meeting these threats.”We are trained for this but still we need the support of other agencies, we need the support of our fellow Filipinos,” he added.