ARMY chief Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit on Monday
opened a store in Maguindanao where officers and men can bring
their worn-out combat boots and uniforms to be replaced with new
ones without any questions asked.
"Take advantage of the Army store," Bangit
told the soldiers as he led the inauguration of the Army
Clothing and Supply Outlet inside the headquarters of the 6th
Infantry Division in Awang town. The store will be replicated at
the headquarters of nine other infantry divisions.
"As you concentrate on the operations, you
need not be bothered with making the requests if only to replace
(your) combat clothing and individual equipment. We have an Army
store where you can avail of new CCIEs, no questions asked, no
written requests needed. As instruments of peace, you deserve
that convenience," he said.
Army spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Marcelo
Burgos Jr. said a similar outlet will be put up at the
headquarters of the 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan de
Oro City whose men are also frequently engaged in combat
operations.
The 6th and 4th infantry divisions are in the
middle of a campaign against the rogue Moro Islamic Liberation
Front.
Burgos said the Army used to maintain stores
in the field but these would not replace worn-out uniforms and
combat boots unless there was an existing request from the
soldiers backed up by pertinent papers.
"This time, you need no request, just go
there over the counter, present your dilapidated uniform or
combat boots and they will be replaced with new ones, unlike
before," he said.
Enlisted personnel are given combat and
clothing allowances every three years upon re-enlistment while
officers get a P200 monthly clothing allowance.
"The soldiers, particularly of the field
units in Mindanao, are frequently engaged in combat operations,
thus their combat boats and uniforms are worn out faster. That
is why we need such stores," Burgos said. "Every soldier must be
combat ready with the proper clothing and appropriate equipment
so as to ensure a winning stance during this crucial time of
anti-insurgency campaign. The realization of the Army store...is
the fulfilment of Lt Gen. Bangit’s commitment to serve the
Philippine Army well."
Worn-out boots and uniforms were among the
items listed in the gripes of the more than 300 officers and men
led by Navy lieutenant-turned-senator Antonio Trillanes IV who
mounted the short-lived Oakwood mutiny on July 27, 2003. The
other issues were corruption in the military and in the
government and the mismanagement of the Retirement, Separation
Benefits Systems. – Victor Reyes
