The Philippine-United States (PH-US) Army Salaknib Exercise 2023 (SN23) officially opened today, March 13, with a ceremony in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – In celebration of this year’s Women’s Month, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the YAKAP ng Magulang Movement Inc. conducted a fun run on Sunday morning, March 12 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, Pasay City.

Hundreds of runners from the AFP, government and non-government employees, partner stakeholders as well as civilian families and youths joined the fun run and Zumba exercise that sought to raise awareness on women empowerment and humanitarian utopia in contributing to nation-building.

The military through the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region assisted ‘YAKAP’ in implementing the fun run and provided necessary support to ensure the participants’ safety and security.

The YAKAP (Yaman, Kalinga at Pagmamahal) ng Magulang Movement Inc. is a God-centered and family-oriented organization of parents that was founded in 2020. It seeks to promote values formation through solidifying the family and community bonds, raising awareness about womanhood in society, providing skills training and social enterprise, and preparing children to be law-abiding and productive citizens.

For the past seven years, the AFP has committed to actively support all programs geared towards women empowerment. During the celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day on March 8, the AFP Chief of Staff, General Andres Centino assured the military’s continuous support to all initiatives anchored on the empowerment of all women.

“We continue to ensure that our programs and policies meant to advance the welfare of women are transformed into concrete actions that cultivate a harmonious, inclusive and productive working environment,” he said.

While the AFP takes pride from the progress that it has attained in recognizing the capabilities of all its female members, the Chief of Staff said that there is much to be done.

“The AFP continues to enhance our advocacies in order to establish a progressive environment where women are given opportunities to enrich their skills and optimize their strengths in performing crucial roles in national security and nation-building,” he said.///(Photos by Tsgt Obinque, PAOAFP)

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The week-long operations by various units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) across the country have resulted to the neutralization of 26 Communist NPA terrorists (CNTs) including 46 of their supporters, five BIFF members, and 22 Abu Sayyaf members.

The AFP also recorded the surrender and seizure of 66 high-powered firearms, four anti-personnel mines, and various explosives and ammunition from March 1 to 9.