President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today declared a suspension of offensive military operations (SOMO) against the New People’s Army on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

The President, in a speech she delivered during the 67^th founding anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, said the four-day SOMO will give the AFP and the NPA as well, time to celebrate "the most important day of peace on earth."

The President said the AFP men whom she described as "a winning force" have "stood united behind duty and professionalism so they deserve a rest from their combat missions." She also commended the AFP for remaining steadfast in setting aside partisan politics.

During the 67^th anniversary foundation of AFP, the President called on the soldiers "to carry on and close ranks with the people in winning the campaign for a strong Philippine Republic."

"Sa ngalan ng ating mga kababayan, maraming salamat, mga sundalo, at mapayapang Pasko sa piling ng inyong mga kamag-anak itong darating na Pasko at Bagong Taon (In behalf of our countrymen, thank you, our dear soldiers and may you and your families have a peaceful Christmas and New Year)," the President said.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes said the President’s SOMO declaration is well in keeping with the tradition and to honor Christmas as the birth of our Lord.

When asked by media men why a longer time was not recommended, Secretary Reyes said that the four-day SOMO is "the better arrangement."

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today announced some benefits that would uplift the lives of the soldiers and prove that the national government is concerned for their welfare.

The President made the announcement during the 67^th anniversary celebration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City this morning.

In her speech, the President said that this year, all soldiers will receive an extra Christmas bonus because she learned that last year they were not included in the additional cash gifts given to the employees of civilian government agencies.

"I know that in the past Christmas you only watched in the sidelines while the civilian employees received their extra Christmas bonus and this is the reason why I included the soldiers in this incentives. Ganoon kayo kamahal ng inyong Commander-in-Chief (That’s how much your Commander-in-Chief loves you)," President said.

The President informed the soldiers that her administration is doing its best to ensure that their salary increase will be implemented next year.

Aside from the extra cash gifts this Christmas and the salary increase next year, the government has created a special program to make sure that all soldiers can buy a house for a cheap price under the Vistan Housing Program.

She also informed the soldiers that under the program, they would only pay for the development cost and small interest for the house to be built by the developer while the lot is free. The engineering brigade of the AFP will be in charge of the building of roads.

The President expressed her sincere thanks to all soldiers because of their continued struggle to defend the Philippine Republic.

"Maaasahan kayo sa lahat ng banta sa katatagan ng ating Republika lalo na ang terorismo na siyang banta ng buong mundo ngayon. Kaya maraming salamat sa inyo mga sundalo ng Pilipinas. (We can defend on you in all threats against our Republic like terrorism which is a major threat around the world today. Thank you very much to all the soldiers of the Philippines," she said.

During the ceremony, the President presented awards to some soldiers, government officials, and civilians for their bravery and valuable achievements in the pursuit of socio-economic development and peace and order in the country.

The awardees for the Gawad sa Kaunlaran are Commander Rufino B. Tiangco of the Philippine Navy, Governor Bartolome L. Marasigan Sr. of Oriental Mindoro, and Governor Faustino S. Dy. Jr. of Isabela.

The President also presented the Civilian Employee of the Year 2002 Award to Rosalinda O. Bilog of the Philippine Air Force, Male ROTC of the Year Award to Midshipman 1^st Class Rommel B. Rodriguez of Philippine Navy, and Female ROTC of the Year Award to Cadette 1^st Class Carol A. Evangelista of Philippine Army.

She also gave a plaque of recognition to Dr. Kim A. Pascual, executive officer of Operation Blessing Foundation for its involvement in the humanitarian missions benefiting 66,049 individuals in 47 different far flung communities in the country and to Gina Lopez of the ABS-CBN Foundation Bantay Kalikasan for its contribution to the AFP’s mission in protecting the environment.

The President also presented the Kagitingan sa Barangay award to Nathaniel S. Pinuela (posthumous), a citizen active auxiliary.

Also, the President presented the United Service Medal to Lieutenant Colonel Jose Johriel M. Canabre in behalf of the one hundred thirty one (131) members of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Marines to the United Nations Guards Contingent in Iraq (UNGCI).

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo commended the Armed Forces of the Philippines for its steadfast support for a strong Republic saying she have seen how military men and women are "a truly united professional and courageous force in war and peace."

Speaking at the 67^th Founding Anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, the President said she is proud that the Filipino soldier is imbued with the two essential features that mark a strong Republic: independence from class and sectoral interest and capacity to execute sound policies.

"And I am proud to say that these two features are features of our Armed Forces of the Philippines today. Sabi nga ni President Ramos ang strong Republic ay hindi ibig sabihin martial republic. Ang ibig sabihin nito ay matatag ang ating mga institusyon kasama ang civilian supremacy over the military at bahagi din niyan ang katatagan ng ating mga sundalo (President Ramos said a strong Republic does not mean a martial republic. It means we have strong institutions and with it civilian supremacy over the military and part of it is the steadfastness of our soldiers)," the President said.

The President said the AFP has proven its strength and steadfastness in holding civilian supremacy over the military during EDSA 2 last January 19 when though the AFP had the chance to wrangle power over civilian authorities they (military) did not.

In seeking AFP support, the President admitted that the military is a very important component in building a strong Republic

"I’ve been your Commander-in-Chief for 21 months now. And the daily problems I confront are among the hardest in our country’s history and even in the world’s recent history. All the more I’m convinced that to successfully confront our problems, we need greater strength. The strength that comes from unity within and among sectors, from a singleness of vision and purpose and from the will and commitment to build a strong Philippine Republic," the President pointed out.

The President also thanked the AFP for proving critics wrong when she welcomed U.S. military assistance to fight terrorism. "And not withstanding criticisms, I have welcome U.S. military assistance to fight this evil. But you have proven that this is a good move, it had a good effect upon the state of law and order."

" Fighting terrorism is our fight today. It is a global fight and not a challenge for a single nation or region. Terrorism knows no boundaries hence the need for all peace loving nation to work together to destroy this evil," the President said.

The President relayed to the AFP that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is now in the stage of completing a regional agreement among its members in the fight against terrorism. She said initially a tripartite agreement against terrorism was inked by the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Cambodia joined the group in July this year while Thailand has recently acceded to join.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lauded the continued success of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in its military doctrine reformulation saying this will make AFP "a truly winning force."

In her speech in today’s AFP’s 67^th Founding Anniversary in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, the President noted that most of AFP’s operational manual are being reviewed by the AFP Doctrines Board.

"Some changes are already being implemented and I congratulate General Santiago and the past chiefs of staff for they have all contributed to this revitalization program," the President said.

The President said there is a need for the doctrine reformulation based on current challenges saying, "the enemy we confront today are creatively organized and they employ psychological and operational tactics and technologies of a much wider latitude and variety than ever before."

"To neutralize criminal and terrorist organizations whether local or transnational, we must be armed not only with adequate weaponry and equipment but also with innovative methodologies, contemporary laws, a new rules of engagement, all these spring from a modernized doctrine for our Armed Forces," the President said.

The President said she has talked about the need for a revolution in military doctrine since last year. "In your anniversary last year, I recall giving instructions relative to its development and internalization. I’m glad to note now that this continuing doctrine development program has started to bear fruit."

"Our modernized doctrine will be combined with technological development and organizational change to make our AFP a truly winning force. One organizational change was achieved when the AFP and the PNP breached their turf mentality. Lately, you have had a commendable number of joint intelligence efforts and successfully coordinated operations to prove this point," the President said.

According to the President, this is the best time for intelligence fusion and inter-operability within the military and the police. "Because in one unique moment in military and police history, the heads of the two institutions are best friends, classmates in Mapua, classmates in the

Philippine Military Academy. Fusion is now or never within the military, and in the police."

"Another organizational change is in the addition of more soldiers. Last November, we authorized the enlistment of 3,000 more soldiers and with an enlistment period of about a month and a six months training by the middle of next year, we will have an even stronger Armed Forces of the Philippines," the President said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today received a check worth P4, 130,494.70 from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as their donation to the Children’s Hour, a fund-raising program to champion the cause of less fortunate children.

Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Dionisio Santiago turned over the check to the President during the celebration of the AFP 67^th anniversary in Camp Aguinaldo this morning.

The donation came from the one-hour fragment of the salary of AFP’s 110,000 officers and personnel. It aims to help the President’s campaign to help the street children and youth in the country.

Last month, the President donated her one-month salary to Children’s Hour Foundation. Also presidential daughter Evangeline Lourdes "Luli" Arroyo made a donation to the program. The program invests funds in carefully selected projects addressing child abuse and deprivation as well as health care and education.

After the ceremony, the President motored to the Philippine National Police Headquarters in Camp Crame to distribute Christmas gifts to the hundreds of residents in the three Barangays of West Crame, Socorro and Libis, all in Quezon City.

National Police Director General Chief Supt. Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. assisted the President in the distribution of assorted goodies to the people held at the PNP Grandstand.

Last December 17, 2002, the President went to Capas, Tarlac and awarded housing units to some 51 beneficiaries of the first Pag-IBIG City to rise in Barangay Cutcut at the Villa de Sto. Rosario.

On December 16, the President distributed lot certificates and financial assistance to 400 families in Paranaque City and on the same day (December 16), she gave away 131 certificates of occupancy to three five-storey walk-up buildings to former squatters in Mandaluyong City.