Ammo supply not critical--Teodoro
MANILA - Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro denied on Thursday that the ammunition supply of the armed forces is at a critical level.
“Ammunition is not on a critical level,” he told abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak at the sidelines of a Makati forum of possible 2010 contenders.
“They are just making up that story because they were disqualified,” he added.
Teodoro was referring to Talon Security Consulting and Trade, which was the sole bidder for an almost P1 billion ammunition supply contract with the Department of National Defense (DND).
On Wednesday, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak reported that Army Vice-Commander General Jerry Jalandoni told a lower court that the military’s stock has reached the “critical” level.
Jalandoni’s remarks were part of a court case filed by Talon Security against the defense department for the cancellation of the contract.
Teodoro said the DND is trying to get ammunition supply from other sources after the cancellation of the contract with Talon Security.
However, Talon Security has filed a case with the Quezon City Regional Trial Court for a suspension order.
“If it is true that (the ammunition level) is critical, why are they (Talon) asking for a TRO [temporary restraining order] from the court?” Teodoro said.
False entry
Teodoro said the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) made the recommendation to cancel the contract because “they (Talon) made a false entry (in their bid.) They (Talon) were asked if they’ve done business or something. Their answer turned out to be not true.”
Talon Security was the only bidder in the ammunition procurement project because the other bidders were disqualified, Teodoro explained.
The defense chief added that Talon Security has supplied the department in the past. “We have preliminary studies that some of the ammunition they supplied us before were not according to specs.”
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Whic is the truth?
Any matters concerning national defense should be seriously investigated (i.e. by the Senate) so that the welfare of our soldiers and police officers lives are not at greater risk than what is already been.
The defenders of our freedom and democracy should be provided with the adequate resources for them to perform their job and do their critical mandate esp. with the many challenges being faced by our country.
Let's keep the morale of our soldiers always high, first by taking care of their needs and the needs of their families, eradicate this corruption in the military establishment, including the Department of Defense and above all not to politicized the establishment and the civilian government to lead by example.
We should all remember the military and police, esp. those who graduated in the academies are very idealistic and professional soldiers and police officers Their ideals that have been inculcated to them in their respective academies that every time they see the civilian government not leading by example, they are disheartened, demoralized and at times rebellious.
This is the same as the father of an idealistic child, who is irresponsible, gambles a lot, drinks a lot, mismanage the family so much, etc. Then what do you expect the child would be?
Government wake up. The Filipino people, please wake up! This rebellion and insurrection could have been finished long time ago if the morale of our soldiers and police officers are at its peak, devoid of the political gimmickries, corruptions, maladministration, etc.
Government should lead by examples. Admittedly, the civilian is above the military establishment but please those in government do your part so that the military and police could do their parts as well
Long live to the defenders of freedom and democracy!
You have shed so much blood, limbs and lives that we, the Filipino people, are behind you.
May God Almighty protect, guide and inspire you all to continue the fight for righteousness that we may attain peace and prosperity. Your unselfish dedication to the Republic is not in vain!
Mabuhay ang Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas at Kapulisan!!!
Finally Peace in Mindanao!!
When the Philippine Military runs out of bullets there will be finally PEACE in Mindanao!! The criminal groups like Abu Sayyaf, MILF, Penatgon gang etc.. will run out of bullets too.It is a known fact that these criminals buy their bullets (courtesy of our corrupt military officials) from the military.These groups have nowhere to get their guns and ammunitions except the military itself! WHAT A SHAME!! LONG LIVE THE MAGDALO SOLDIERS!! MABUHAY SI GENERAL LIM!! MABUHAY SI SEN. TRILLANES.DOWN WITH CORRUPT MILITARY OFFICIALS.!! Selling guns ad ammunitions to the enemy is a crime of treason punishable by death!! These corrupt military officials should face the FIRING SQUAD!
Finally Peace in Mindanao!!
When the Philippine Military runs out of bullets there will be finally PEACE in Mindanao!! The criminal groups like Abu Sayyaf, MILF, Penatgon gang etc.. will run out of bullets too.It is a known fact that these criminals buy their bullets (courtesy of our corrupt military officials) from the military.These groups have nowhere to get their guns and ammunitions except the military itself! WHAT A SHAME!! LONG LIVE THE MAGDALO SOLDIERS!! MABUHAY SI GENERAL LIM!! MABUHAY SI SEN. TRILLANES.DOWN WITH CORRUPT MILITARY OFFICIALS.!! Selling guns ad ammunitions to the enemy is a crime of treason punishable by death!! These corrupt military officials should face the FIRING SQUAD!
Critical Ammunition Supply of the AFP
As early as 2008 there was already an outcry by the AFP of the critical stock level of its various ammunitions inventory
(Refer to http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/08/29/08/army-says-needs-more-ordnance...). According to the above article, the same Army General simply reiterated his 2008 statement to REUTERS, regarding the critical stock level of their ammunitions, in his court affidavit and it was not the bidder that said this. It is surely expected that the traditional politician aspiring-to-be-president will concoct a story that would cast the poor soldier (MGen. Jalandoni) to have lied in his statement to the court and to Reuters last year. This is the very reason why we have mutineers and the likes of Sen. Trillanes and General Danilo Lim whose morals were offended by the systematic form of manipulation and corruption within the very institution they have surrendered their lives to; causing them to rise against and expose the “decay” in the defense institution.
The statement of Teodoro that, “…the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) made the recommendation to cancel the contract because “they (Talon) made a false entry (in their bid)” is FALSE. Having read articles about this issue, it is surprising that the DND itself is intervening, not speed up but to suspend/cancel its own acquisition of direly needed AFP supplies despite pleadings from the AFP and the affirmative recommendation by its own appointed Bids and Awards Committee to award the contract to the winning bidder. It is either the BAC and its chairman are very inept in their function or someone needs another bidder to win in order to get their kickback.
“If it is true that (the ammunition level) is critical, why are they (Talon) asking for a TRO [temporary restraining order] from the court?” Teodoro said. We must bear in mind that the bidder or supplier in this issue is a foreign business entity (from the Holy Land of Israel) that has an interest to pursue and it is not their obligation to take care of the DND’s responsibility and duty. Again, it was the AFP’s statement to REUTERS back in 2008 and its court statement that pronounced the critical stock level status of its various ammunitions.
“We have preliminary studies that some of the ammunition they supplied us before were not according to specs (Sec. Teodoro)”. Is there not a pre-delivery inspection to ensure technical compliance of the ammunition delivered? If previous deliveries of TALON were accepted does this mean the technical inspectors were stupid or bribed? How can the Defense Department be effective in modernizing and equipping our military forces if they continue to have failures in the procurement of essential goods for the AFP?
My prayers goes to the soldiers and for the security of our nation.