AFP chief backs changes in PMA curriculum, rules

By Dexter A, See

FORT DEL PILAR– Newly installed Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Oban, Jr. wants immediate implementation of changes in curriculum of the Philippine Military Academy and rules here to develop dynamic and responsible young military officers who will improve the image of the AFP amid alarming controversies now hounding image of the military.

While the proposed changes in the PMA curriculum are still in the process of approval, Oban, a member of PMA Class of 1979, said he is favorably considering changes the military that will instill paradigm shift in the country’s military force.

The AFP chief was the presiding officer in the turnover of command of the premier military school in Asia from retiring superintendent Vice Admiral Leonardo C. Calderon, Jr. to his successor, Brig. Gen. Nonato Alfredo Peralta, Jr., who was former commandant of cadets of the Academy.

In his tour of duty report to Oban, Calderon cited need to implement drastic changes in the academy’s curriculum to mold upcoming young military officers to put to real practice the academy’s core values of courage, integrity and loyalty and inculcate in them the importance of a true Filipino soldier worthy of being emulated.

Under the new PMA curriculum, the core values of courage, integrity and loyalty will be incorporated and taught in every subject in the four-year curriculum to constantly remind the upcoming military officers of their greater responsibility once they are deployed in their respective fields of assignment.

Values education will also be part of the curriculum to teach the cadets appropriate moral values that will be their guideposts in discharging their functions once they move out from the Academy and confront the challenges that will come their way in their military career.

Oban said change in the military is a normal occurrence that will bring their efforts to curb the enemies of the State to greater heights considering the need to significantly improve their logistics and win the battle against insurgents and militiamen in the countryside.