DEFENSE CHRONICLE VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 2017
2 I VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 2017
Secretary of National Defense
(SND) Delfin N. Lorenzana
traveled to the farthest south of the
Philippine archipelago to visit the troops
and enlist the support of the community
in the government’s campaign against
terrorism, kidnapping, piracy, and
illegal drugs. SND visited the island
Municipality of Sibutu in Tawi-tawi
together with Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen
Eduardo Año and the Chiefs of the
Army, the Navy, and the Air Force on
January 18, 2017.
Secretary Lorenzana was given
a situation briefing and had a dialogue
with some of the municipal and
barangay officials led by the mayor, the
Chair and members of the Association
of 16 Barangay Captains, and military
commanders in Tawi-tawi where the
Secretary emphasized the importance
of the cooperation of local leaders for
local security, as well as for the nation’s
progress and well-being.
Sibutu Mayor Alshefa Pajiji, in
response, expressed his commitment
I1
DUTY KNOWS NO DISTANCE
Secretary Lorenzana visits farthest island
to help in the campaign to end the
criminal activities of the Abu Sayyaf
Group (ASG), among other concerns. He
decried the incidence of kidnappings
around the island as it adversely affects
his municipality.
Gen Año assured the Mayor
of the AFP’s focused and unrelenting
campaign vs. ASG. He noted, however,
that the ASG can only thrive in places
where they can find refuge or support
and that the people of Sibutu can be of
help by denying them sanctuary and
logistics. National Intelligence Coordinating
After the meeting, Mayor Pajiji
expressed his elation and the gratitude
of his people. “It’s been many years
since this municipality was ever visited
by a high government official, much less
by a Secretary of National Defense,” he
said.
“We are even more blessed today
that the AFP Chief of Staff and his top
commanders came with him to see our
condition. Magsukol, Daghang Salamat
po. (Thank you, Thank you very much).”
Pajiji added.
DEFENSE CHRONICLE
Secretary Lorenzana, Gen
Año, and the Commanding General
Phil Army LTGen Glorioso Miranda;
Philippine Navy Flag Officer in
Command VAdm Ronald Joseph
Mercado; the Commanding General
of the Phil Air Force LTGen Edgar
Fallorina; and 11 other generals and
flag officers, and officials from the
Department of National Defense,
the General Headquarters in Camp
Aguinaldo, and Western Mindanao
Command, to include the Director of
Agency, Alex Monteagudo, were
visiting Zamboanga, Sulu, and Tawi-
tawi primarily to check on the troops
and to meet with the people in the
areas where these soldiers, airmen,
sailors, and marines are deployed.
Earlier in the day, this
delegation from the defense
establishment met with the local and
religious leaders of Simunul Island
that hosts the oldest mosque that
became the precursor of Islam religion
in the Philippines.
DEFENSE CHRONICLE VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 2017 I3
EDITORIAL

OF CHANGE Editor-in-Chief Miriam G. Albao

AND PEACE Managing Editor Marina M. Agustin

News Editor Noriza S. Atienza

Artist Jasmin Michelle L. Añana

T he buzzword is still change. The

year 2017 ushers in the total
transformation of this official publication
Media Relations Prime S. Berunia

Finance Nelson L. Gallarde

of the Department of National Defense.
What used to be known as DND’s black and Contributors Col Edgard A. Arevalo (AFP)
white publication – the Philippine Defense Hiyasmin O. Karunungan (GA)
Cdr Roger S. Gamban (GA)
Newsletter – now debuts in full color as Engr. Teresita L. Vitug (GA)
Defense Chronicle. Eva B. De los Santos (DND)
Beginning with this first issue of Dianne M. Gammad (DND)
Office of the Assistant Secretary
the Defense Chronicle, we shall work at for Assessments and International
Affairs (DND)
presenting better visuals of the activities Public Information and
and accomplishments of the DND. Monitoring Division, PAS (DND)

The newsletter’s total makeover is
aimed to serve our readers better. That’s the Photographers Renato P. Alba
SSg Saudi S Yusop PAF
bit of good news. Now, here’s the damper to Sgt Avelino A Velasco Jr PA
our enthusiasm. Asst. Photo Editor Pinky A. Fernandez
The defense and security
Support Services SSgt Anthony B Cadiz
environment has been increasingly Sgt Isidro R Areja
challenging these past few weeks. Peace Cpl Celso P Castromayor
Shella D. Sonogan
continues to be elusive. Recent events Lyn Tropa
derailed what could have been significant
strides towards peace. Assistance & Support by
But if indeed hope runs eternal, there AFP-PAO
will always be hope for peace in this country, OJ7
CRS-AFP
no matter what the setback. And under our
watch we shall pursue the enemies of peace Public Affairs Offices of
relentlessly. In the same vein, we shall keep Philippine Army
our doors open to the prospect of peace and Philippine Navy/Philippine Marine Corps
Philippine Air Force
remain ready to welcome its emissaries. So
there is no need to dwell on the negative. Public Affairs Service (PAS)
Because we can always work to make things Department of National Defense
PAS Building, Natividad Avenue
positive. Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo,
Someday the buzzword shall be Quezon City 1110
Tel: (+632) 982-5679
PEACE. Let us work to make it soon. Fax: (+632) 911-7113
Email: publicaffairs.dnd@gmail.com

Photo by: SSG Milay, PAF

4 I VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 2017
PRESIDENT DUTERTE
@ THE
79TH PMA HOMECOMING
P resident Rodrigo
Roa Duterte urged
the cavaliers to build a nation
worthy of the Filipinos in his
speech as the guest of honor
and speaker during the 79th
PMA Alumni Homecoming held
at Borromeo Field, Camp Allen,
Bagiuo City.
Duterte emphasized the
importance of peace and order
in a society for the attainment
of sustainable and developed
nation and asked for the help
of the military in leading the
country.
“I need the help of each
one, especially the military, not
for social control but protection
of the citizens from the lawless,
the reckless, and the selfish,”
Duterte said.
Known for its tradition
of discipline and civility, Duterte
urged the PMA to continue its
mission to train and develop
graduates with character and
skill, as the country continues
to face serious threats such as
terrorism, illegal drugs and
climate change.
On the other hand,
the PMA Alumni Association
confirmed their unwavering
support for President Duterte
due to his initiatives to wage
DEFENSE CHRONICLE
“Let us together build a nation worth
worthy of their nation; Pilipinong n
Pilipinas na nararapat sa Pilipino;
Pilipino, Pilipinong angay
war against corruption and
criminalization in general, most
particularly against illegal drugs
heinous crimes, terrorism and
his pursuit of lasting peace.
“We call on the Filipino
citizens to support the president
and other leaders in governing
toward the attainment of lasting
peace and economic prosperity,”
PMAAAI chair, retired deputy
director general Anselmo
Avenido said.
Duterte is an adopted
alumnus of the PMA Dimasupil
Class of 1967 since 1994
and was again adopted as an
honorary member of the PMA
Alumni Association.
Meanwhile, Duterte
expressed his gratitude to the
PMAAAI for clarifying that the
reason of his adoption is due
to his long and harmonious
relationship with PMA Alumni
and not about political
consideration.
PMA classes ending in 2
and 7 served as the host of the
79th PMA Alumni Homecoming.
This year’s Diamond Jubilarians,
Golden Jubilarians and Silver
Jubilarians are the PMA Classes
of 1957, 1967 and 1992,
respectively.
 DEFENSE CHRONICLE VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 2017 I5

hy of the Filipinos; Filipinos

nararapat sa Pilipinas;
; Nasud nga angay sa
y sa Pilipinas”.
 6 I VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 2017
UPDATES ON GADIE
PEZA accreditation now up for
PRRD’s approval
T free customs duties on the importation
he conceptual master
development plan for the
entire Government Arsenal Defense
Industrial Estate (GADIE) which is
situated at Camp General Antonio Luna,
Lamao, Limay, Bataan with a land area
of 340 hectares, was completed in
November 2015.
In order to attract more local and
foreign locators, the Government Arsenal
(GA) applied for the accreditation of the
GADIE with the Philippine Economic
Zone Authority (PEZA). PEZA favorably
acted on the application and it was
endorsed by the Department of Trade
and Industry (DTI) for the President’s
approval during the administration
of President Benigno S. Aquino III. It
remained unacted upon, however, until
the change of administration in 2016.
Fast forward to the present
administration – with the assistance
from the current Department of
National Defense leadership under
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the
endorsement of the new PEZA leadership
under Director General Charito Plaza,
and the recent endorsement of DTI
Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, GADIE is
now closest to realization as it now just
awaits the approval of President Rodrigo
Roa Duterte and the subsequent issuance
of Presidential proclamation.
The approval of the PEZA
accreditation of GADIE is expected
to attract locators as it will provide
incentives, such as tax holidays and
of both equipment and raw materials,
among others. GA expects that foreign
defense manufacturers would take
advantage of this opportunity and put
up their manufacturing plants in the
GADIE to avail of the low labor cost and
abundant technically qualified Filipino
labor force.
Locators in the GADIE are
expected to provide the needed
technologies that would enhance the
capability of the local defense industry
possibly by way of technology transfer
thru partnership undertakings and other
similar arrangements. This is expected to
eventually provide locally manufactured
defense and security articles to the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),
the Philippine National Police (PNP)
and other law enforcement agencies
and subsequently help generate local
employment opportunities for the local
labor force.
As of this writing, a good number
of foreign defense manufacturers have
already signified intention to establish
their production plants in the GADIE,
either on their own or in partnership
with the GA or with the local defense
industry players.
DEFENSE CHRONICLE
GOVERNMENT ARSENAL:
ITS CAPABILITIES AND
THE GADIE
T he Government Arsenal
(GA), a line Bureau of the
Department of National Defense, was
created pursuant to Republic Act No.
1884 Series of 1957 with the mandate
to provide for, basically, the weapons,
ammunition and other munitions
requirements of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines, while RA 1884 was enacted
into law on June 22, 1957, the GA’s Small
Arms Ammunition (SAA) Manufacturing
Plant was established only on October
12, 1967, in Lamao, Limay, Bataan using
second hand machineries donated by the
Japanese government as part of its war
reparation efforts.
The machineries composing
the GA’s rifle and pistol lines donated by
the Japanese government were originally
designed to manufacture ammunition for
caliber .30 M1(Carbine) and Caliber.30 M2
(Garand) in the rifle line; and, caliber .45 in
the pistol line. Thru the incessant conduct
of research and development activities,
the GA engineers developed capabilities
in the manufacture of 5.56MM and 7.62
MM ammunition in the rifle line; and
caliber .38 special and 9MM parabellum
in the pistol line, using the same set of
machineries.
GA has an accomplishment that
is really noteworthy – the tremendous
increases in its yearly production output.
From barely 15 million rounds until 2009,
GA’s production increased to over 49
million rounds of small arms ammunition
in 2016. GA has also developed capability
to undertake depot-level repair
refurbishment, upgrade and enhancement
of pistols, rifles and crew-served weapons.
Pursuant to its mandate as
embodied in RA 7898 as amended by
RA 10349 (Revised AFP Modernization
Act), the GA has embarked on a modest
modernization program aimed at
enhancing the GA manufacturing
capability to a level where it could ably
provide for the weapons, ammunition and
other munitions requirements of the AFP,
PNP and other law enforcement agencies.
Relative to this, the 340-hectare GA
Defense Industrial Estate was subjected
to a Conceptual Master Development Plan
which was completed in November 2015.
The master development plan
provided for appropriate zoning of the
GADIE that delineates the explosives
zone from the non-explosives zone,
so that prospective business locators
may determine which part of the area
is suitable for their intended projects/
facilities.
 DEFENSE CHRONICLE VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 2017 I7
GA TEAM JOINS
DND AT THE 5TH
PHILIPPINE-ISRAEL
JOINT COMMITTEE
MEETING ON
LOGISTICS AND
DEFENSE INDUSTRY

D elegates from
Government Arsenal
(GA) headed by Director Jonathan
C. Martir AFP (Ret), participated
in the 5th Philippine-Israel Joint
Committee Meeting (JCM) on
Logistics and Defense Industry
Cooperation between the
Ministry of Defense of the State of
Israel (IMoD) and the Department
of National Defense (DND) of the
Republic of the Philippines, in Tel
Aviv, Israel on 11-15 December
2016.
The meeting was Co-
Chaired by Mr. Paul Friedberg
(Principal Deputy Director, SIBAT,
IMoD) and ASEC Jesus Rey R.
Avilla (Assistant Secretary for
Acquisition, Installations and
Logistics, ASAIL, DND).
Delegations from OASAIL,
Philippine Army, Philippine Navy
and Philippine Air Force and also
strategic partnership. In-country SIBAT is the International Defense
attended the JCM. Also present
maintenance of defense equipment Cooperation Directorate of the Israel
during the meeting was Ms.
and co-production schemes can be Ministry of Defense (IMoD).
Pamela F Duran-Bailon (First
explored in this regard.
Secretary and Consul General of
Director Martir invited the
the Philippine Embassy in Israel).
Israel industry representatives/ As a result of the meeting
The JCM proper was an
proponents to visit the GA facilities, and industry visits, the following
opportunity for the Director, GA
to further discuss and push through will be explored for industrial
to present an overview of the
with potential projects. cooperation:
GA Defense Industrial Estate
The event was also an
(GADIE) Project, and the benefits
opportunity for the GA Team to a. 105 / 155 manufacture
and tax incentives to prospective
visit various defense industries in b. M4 parts production
industry locators to operate
Israel with potential of establishing c. Armor Vests
under an economic zone.
in-country co-production defense d. SMS Indoor Simulators for
The IMoD official present
projects. tactical training
in the meeting took note of such
The GA Team likewise e. Tactical Unmanned
opportunities and directed the
attended the SIBAT EXPO where Aerial Systems for communication,
IMI to shortlist doable project
various defense industries under intelligence, land surveillance,
areas to serve as test case first,
the organization umbrella of the emergency response and
say, two or three out of five
SIBAT displayed their products for artillery fire management
projects, to materialize the
the Philippine delegation to see.
8 I VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 2017
STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT PLANNING
WORKSHOP FOR PHILIPPINE DEFENSE
AND ARMED FORCES ATTACHES HELD
T he strategic environment
has evolved, Philippine
defense and armed forces attaches
must therefore evolve and adapt as
well.
This was the message of
Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana in his
keynote address to the participants
of the strategic engagement
planning workshop on December
12, 2016. Philippine Defense
and Armed Forces Attaches
(PhilDAFAs) must therefore
be proactive and aggressive in
promoting Philippine defense
interests, Secretary Lorenzana
stressed.
The third since it was first
held in 2012, the workshop served
as platform for PhilDAFAs and
foreign Liaison Officers (LOs) to be
apprised with the country’s foreign,
national security and defense
policies and programs. Subject
matter experts from the Office of
the Cabinet Secretary, National
Security Council, Department of
Foreign Affairs and DND itself shared
their insights with the participants.
The Deputy ASEAN Secretary General,
who was visiting the Philippines that
week for consultations in connection
with the Philippines’ ASEAN
Chairmanship in 2017, discussed
with the participants the challenges
and prospects of community building
efforts in ASEAN.
Beyond providing the
PhilDAFAs and LOs with relevant
updates on key policies and programs,
individual engagement plans were
crafted by the PhilDAFAs and LOs
with an attendant plan and budget
being prepared to ensure that the
activities they intend to do are
allocated with needed resources.
Relevant pieces of advice were
provided by Assistant Secretary Tina
Rose Canda from the Department of
Budget and Management (DBM), who
gave an overview of public financial
management, while Commission
on Audit’s Assistant Commissioner
Lourdes Castillo discussed the new
DEFENSE CHRONICLE
government accounting manual
to ensure that accountability is
observed.
With PhiDAFAs and
LOs considered as the foremost
engagement players for the DND, it
is necessary that they be provided
with appropriate policy direction. But
equally important is the need for their
inputs in the crafting of such policies.
Thus, the workshop was utilized as a
mechanism for generating inputs in
revising current defense guidelines on
international engagements, negotiating
defense cooperation agreements, and
conducting assessments and reviews.
Also discussed was a set of guidelines
on the establishment and closure of
PhilDAFA and LO posts.
The week-long undertaking
culminated with a presentation
of the workshop’s outputs to the
Undersecretary of National Defense
Cardozo Luna who stressed that the
activity is a manifestation that when
various stakeholders work together,
productive outcomes result.
DEFENSE CHRONICLE
SECRETARY LORENZANA
VISITS MOSCOW
A mid freezing temperature
in Moscow, Defense
Secretary Delfin Lorenzana had warm
discussions with Russian Deputy
Minister of Defense Anatoly Antonov
on how to promote Philippine-Russia
defense relations, with the two officials
having the shared sense that it is
equally beneficial for the two countries
to enhance their defense ties. And to
maintain the momentum, they agreed
to convene a working group in early
2017 to flesh out the specific activities
particularly on exchanges between
the two defense ministries and their
respective militaries.
Also discussed was the
importance of having a framework of
cooperation. Thus, both delegations
committed to finalize the proposed
PH-Russia Agreement on Defense
Cooperation so it could be signed
during the President’s visit in Moscow
in April 2017. At the moment, both
sides are working on a draft which
resulted from the PH-Russia Informal
Meeting on August 25, 2016 in Manila.
At the end of the interaction,
Secretary Lorenzana personally
handed his invitation for Russian
Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu
to attend the 4th ASEAN Defense
Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus to be
hosted by the Philippines in October
2017. Stressing that the minister’s
attendance would manifest Russia’s
strong support for Philippine ASEAN
Chairmanship, Secretary Lorenzana
accepted Russia’s invitation for the SND
to participate in the Moscow Conference
on International Security (MCIS) slated
to be held in April 2017.
Secretary Lorenzana likewise
had discussions with the Director of
Russia’s Federal Service for Military
Technical Cooperation regarding
collaboration on the areas of logistics and
armaments while Secretary of Foreign
Affairs Perfecto Yasay was having
consultations with Russia’s foreign
ministry officials. Both secretaries
were in Moscow in preparation for the
President’s visit next year.
Included in the SND’s delegation
were Defense Assistant Secretary for
Assessments and International Affairs
Raymund Quilop and the Senior Military
Assistant to the SND Brigadier General
Arnel Duco. Joining the SFA were
foreign affairs Undersecretary for Policy
Enrique Manalo and Asec for European
Affairs Cleofe Natividad.
In a related development,
defense officials of the two countries
met on January 16, 2017 to explore
cooperative activities between the two
ministries. The discussions resulted
in a set of bilateral activities to include
VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 2017 I9
high level exchanges, reciprocal visits
of military ships, conferences and
seminars, policy level and general
staff consultations, reciprocal visits of
delegations and observers for military
exercises, reciprocal visits of each side’s
military-educational establishments
and scientific-research agencies. The
identified activities will be held either in
the Philippines or in Russia.
The resulting action plan will be
approved by relevant authorities of both
ministries, with the listed items being
seen as tangible implementation of the
Agreement on Defense Cooperation
which is slated to be signed when
President Rodrigo Duterte visits
Russia later this year. Previously held
consultations on this agreement have
resulted in a mutually acceptable text
which is currently going through their
respective internal vetting and approval
processes.
While both delegations
explored various mechanisms to
promote PH-Russia defense relations,
both sides acknowledged the need to
pursue cooperation in a step-by-step but
sustained manner based on mutual trust
and respect for each other’s internal
processes. The items contained in the
draft action are considered as the initial
undertakings for moving the bilateral
defense relations forward.
10 I VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 2017 DEFENSE CHRONICLE

ROTC COMMANDERS’ SUMMIT AND SENIOR

RESERVIST COMMANDERS’ CONFERENCE 2017

Following President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncement to strengthen the Reserve Officers’ Training
Corps (ROTC) Program, Corps Commanders and Senior Reservist Commanders gathered in a summit to
discuss the proposal to reinstate the Mandatory ROTC, Tuesday, February 22 at the AFP Commissioned
Officers Club, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has approved the recommendation of Defense Secretary Delfin N.
Lorenzana to certify as priority, the bill to implement mandatory Reserved Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)
program in Grades 11 and 12 of the country’s public and private schools during a cabinet meeting on 07
February 2017 in Malacañang after a thorough discussion with his cabinet members.

Lieutenant General Salvador Melchor B Mison Jr ., Vice Chief of

Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines - AFP, keynotes the RADM Ernesto C Enriquez AFP, DCS for RRA, OJ9; Senator Sherwin
joint ROTC Corps Commanders’ Summit 2017 and Senior Reservist Gatchalian; and BGEN Noel S Buan AFP, Assistant DCS for RRA, OJ9,
Commanders’ Conference. with the ROTC Corps Commanders.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian discusses his proposed Legislative Representative Geraldine Roman (First District, Bataan), the first
Measures on the Restoration of Mandatory ROTC Program in transgender woman elected to Congress, expresses her strong support for
college education. the reinstatement of the ROTC. “Ms. G” believes that serving the country is not
exclusive to a particular gender.
DEFENSE CHRONICLE
SPORTSFEST 2016
DND EMPLOYEES BRUSH UP ON ATHLETIC PROWESS
It’s the season once more to shoot, strike, smash, and spike with all your might!
T he Department of National
Defense is holding its
annual Sportsfest, with the opening
ceremony held on 03 February 2017,
at the PVAO Covered Court.
Attended by all civilian
and military personnel of the DND
proper, the ceremony jumpstarted
the multi-week Sportsfest, where
teams will compete in eight (8) events,
namely: Basketball Men, Volleyball
Men, Volleyball Women, Bowling
Men, Bowling Women, Badminton
Men’s Doubles, Badminton Women’s
Doubles, and Badminton Mixed
Doubles.
The teams are composed of
the following offices:
Maroon: OSEC, OUSDO, OSMA,
Protocol, COA, DISG
Purple: OUSND, OASAIA, OASAIL/
BAC, OASHR, ODR
Mint Green: OUSCVRA, OUSDP, OASPP,
OASFM, LAS, DAO
VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 2017 I 11
Orange: OUSFM, IAS,
PAS, MISS, AS
This year’s
muse competition and
fun games hosted by the
offices of the Assistant
Secretaries were held
during the opening
ceremony, igniting the
spirit of competition
and camaraderie among
teams. Warming up
both the players and non-athletes championships are great! But there
alike, a special Zumba session was is more to sports than winning,”
also conducted, to the enjoyment of Secretary Lorenzana said. “In our
everyone in attendance. case, we play to build rapport, to foster
Defense Secretary Delfin N. teamwork among our co-workers, to
Lorenzana himself lauded the athletes be more unified as One Defense Team,
and called on everyone to embody which hopefully, will result into greater
sportsmanship and put a premium on enthusiasm and productivity in our
the experience of working as a team workplace.”
during the matches. The matches for the eight (8)
“Playing sports is not just events will continue from February
all about winning. Sure, wins and until the last week of March 2017.
12 I VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 2017 DEFENSE CHRONICLE