This is one for the books........

Mga sundalo natin, cellphone ang gamit to communicate w/ each other habang nakikigyera vs MILFs? WTF!





http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Ne...&type=2&sec=29
Sept. 3, 2008


Government troops have complained that they are using cellular telephones to communicate with each other while fighting Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in Mindanao.

A soldier said they need an allowance for cell phone prepaid loads so that communication will not be a problem in the battlefield.

“We can count on these cellphones as long as we have enough load and signal,” the soldier said.

The shortage in communication equipment for troopers has apparently undermined the military’s Capability Upgrade Program (CUP).

The soldiers are also demanding Kevlar helmets and protective vests.

An infantry officer said the cell phones of most soldiers helped coordinate the movement of troops.

Another problem in combat operations is the mobility of forces, since there are few armored vehicles and trucks to transport troops to the battlefield.

There is also the problem of defective bullets and plastic magazines for M16 rifles.

Several senators yesterday gave their full support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines CUP.

Members of the Senate Committee on National Defense visited Camp Aguinaldo and had a closed-door meeting with AFP chief of staff Alexander Yano, who gave the senators a briefing on the military operations in Mindanao.

Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres Jr., AFP public information office chief, said the senators approved the military’s request to acquire new equipment, especially in the field of communications and air and land mobility.

Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, chairman of the Senate defense committee, said the AFP must improve in areas of operational funds, equipment and manpower.

Aside from Biazon, Senators Richard Gordon, Juan Ponce Enrile, Jamby Madrigal and Juan Miguel Zubiri also attended the briefing.