Approving the Procurement of Mission Essential Equipment and Requirements of the AFP Capability Upgrade Program

August 28, 2006

MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 224

APPROVING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE AND THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP) TO PROCURE THE MISSION ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT AND REQUIREMENTS UNDER BLOCKS 3 TO 6 OF THE AFP CAPABILITY UPGRADE PROGRAM FOR 2006-2011

WHEREAS, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been continuously conducting operations to address the insurgency and other internal security threats but limitations in the AFP's mission capability prevent it from accomplishing its mission and objectives as confirmed by the RP-US Joint Defense Assessment (JDA) completed in 2003; AcISTE

WHEREAS, the 2003 JDA came up with ten (10) key recommendations to improve the overall capability of the defense and military establishment with the Philippine Defense Reform (PDR) as the framework for implementing them;

WHEREAS, the sixth key area of the PDR is the medium-term six-(6) year AFP Capability Upgrade Program for 2006-2011 (AFP Medium-Term CUP) under which the mission essential equipment and requirements of the AFP for its internal security operations (ISO) shall be acquired;

WHEREAS, Republic Act (RA) No. 7898, otherwise known as the AFP Modernization Act, provides that the AFP shall be modernized to a level where it can effectively and fully perform its constitutional mandate to uphold the sovereignty and preserve the patrimony of the Republic of the Philippines;

WHEREAS, the thrust of the AFP Modernization Program is the acquisition and upgrading of appropriate technology and equipment, among others;

WHEREAS, on May 15, 2006, the Office of the President approved the procurement of mission essential equipment for the AFP for its ISO under Blocks 1 and 2 of the AFP Medium-Term CUP;

WHEREAS, the members of the Defense Acquisition Committee (DAC), during its regular meeting on June 1, 2006, after due deliberations, unanimously resolved to recommend to the Secretary of National Defense the procurement of mission essential equipment and requirements under Blocks 3 to 6 of the AFP Medium-Term CUP; ADSIaT

WHEREAS, the Chief of Staff of the AFP concurs with said recommendation;

WHEREAS, the priority development on battalion capabilities for Block 3 is the provision of efficient C2 in the battalion headquarters and the enhancement of firepower capabilities to ensure the agility in coping with the tempo at battle, both during the day and night time, especially squad level armaments and tactical air support;

WHEREAS, the focus of Blocks 4 and 5 are on the improvement of mobility, especially for the ground forces, given the widely dispersed nature of insurgent forces, and the need to transport government elements in the right location and numbers during imminent or ongoing engagements;

WHEREAS, the remaining C2 requirements of the battalions are addressed by Block 6, as well as other vital requirements in operations that were not included in the Terms of Engagement of battalions to enhance movements, shooting and seeing capabilities of the AFP;

WHEREAS, the Secretary of National Defense recommends, in a Memorandum dated August 11, 2006, the procurement of mission essential equipment and requirements of the AFP under Blocks 3 to 6 of the AFP Medium Term CUP, pursuant to Section 15 of RA No. 7898;

WHEREAS, the President is given the power to modify the AFP Modernization Program Integrated Priority List pursuant to Section 15 of RA No. 7898.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby approve the recommendation of the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to procure the mission essential equipment and requirements under Blocks 3 to 6 of the AFP Medium-Term Capability Upgrade Program, a copy of which is attached hereto and made an integral part hereof as Annex "A". *

DONE in the City of Manila, this 28th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Six.