Panayam kay AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla

PTVPhilippines

Transcript

00:00 As the first female spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines

00:06 and the continued support of President Marcos Jr. in the AFP.

00:10 That is what we will talk about with Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla,

00:16 the new-look spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

00:21 Colonel Padilla, first of all, congratulations on your new post.

00:26 And welcome to Bagong Pilipinas.

00:30 Personally, I feel so honored because after 88 years,

00:34 we have a female spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

00:41 What can you say about this? How does that feel?

00:45 Actually, I really feel honored to be the very first.

00:48 Of course, at first, I didn't dream of it, but it came.

00:53 So it underscores the trust of the AFP to embrace diversity

00:59 and promote inclusivity in our Armed Forces of the Philippines.

01:03 We are very excited to know what you will do.

01:07 So maybe my next question, aside from being the spokesperson of the AFP,

01:13 what will be your role as the new commander of the Media and Civil Affairs Group

01:19 of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Civil Relations Service?

01:23 Nina, yesterday, we had a turnover ceremony.

01:29 I was designated as the new Media and Civil Affairs Group commander.

01:34 So it's on top of being spokes.

01:36 And I think these two designations go hand in hand with one another.

01:41 So we really want to tell the people what they really need to know.

01:46 So we are helping to let our countrymen know

01:54 what the Armed Forces of the Philippines is doing to ensure the security of the Philippines.

01:59 In your opinion, ma'am, what is the biggest misconception of ordinary Filipinos about the AFP?

02:07 And what do you want to clarify and tell them about the Armed Forces of the Philippines?

02:12 The Armed Forces of the Philippines is a partner.

02:16 So our goal is to ensure the security and development of our country.

02:24 So what the Armed Forces of the Philippines is doing is to really do everything in our power

02:32 to promote the protection of the people and the security of the state.

02:38 All right. Before I delve into other matters, we're just also very curious,

02:43 especially to women like me.

02:45 We are, as you said, this is a very big development in terms of inclusivity, diversity,

02:53 a woman in the AFP, a top official, a spokesperson, no less.

02:59 We want to know a bit of your background, ma'am, before this position.

03:04 What was your position in the AFP and what did you do here?

03:09 I'm a Signal Corps officer.

03:12 So we handle C4S, Command and Control, Communications, and Cyber Systems.

03:21 So back before I became SPOCs, I was designated as the 7th Signal Battalion Commander.

03:29 So I handle all C4S operations within Northern Luzon area.

03:34 I heard that your position as battalion commander is a bit unique.

03:41 At the time, you were the only female battalion commander, am I right?

03:46 At first, ma'am, now we are three.

03:48 Okay, at least three.

03:51 So your position was that you had to oversee not just one but many parts of Fort Magsaysay, right?

04:02 Yes, ma'am.

04:02 Was it the biggest or the smallest?

04:04 It's the biggest military reservation.

04:07 So with that, the 7th Signal Battalion is distinct because we have a sheer number of units,

04:13 the major units at that, that we service in terms of C4S.

04:17 So Fort Magsaysay is the biggest training grounds of the AFP.

04:23 So our role as the 7th Signal Battalion is really big.

04:30 And being a battalion commander at that time, how do you think this former position or your experience

04:36 here at Fort Magsaysay will equip you now with your new position?

04:41 That's really very good that I was there because I now have like a first-hand connection to all of these commanders.

04:49 And we also, the commanders of the aviation regiment, artillery regiment,

04:55 and our AFP unit which is the Special Operations Command,

04:59 we also have the special forces, the scout rangers, and also the armor.

05:04 And to top it off with NOLCOMPO, we all service those units.

05:08 So because I have direct connection with them as battalion commander before,

05:12 I think now as spokes, I can also get first-hand information from the operations that they do.

05:18 Yes, your exposure and also your being connected to these things is very advantageous for your new position.

05:27 But before that, let's go back a little bit because we also want to know,

05:32 I understand you served three presidents under the PSG. Am I right?

05:39 Yes, I served in the presidential security group.

05:41 So I used to be the uniformed aide for President Gloria Arroyo.

05:47 And then my cyber journey began in the term of being President of PINOY

05:54 and in the early stages of being President of the Philippines.

05:59 What was the experience of working for three presidents?

06:08 How did you deal with that?

06:12 Of course, you have different personalities.

06:14 What have you learned from that experience?

06:16 Basically, in PSG, we have different roles to play.

06:21 So within that span of period, I also played different roles in different capacities.

06:27 So what I've seen is that I've been able to see first-hand how the strategic things are being done for the Philippines.

06:37 Because of course, how the president works, where they go, who they talk to, and all of those things.

06:42 So going down the line to tactical operations,

06:47 I've been able to inculcate to the operations side and the tactical side

06:52 what is being discussed in the strategic side of things.

06:56 So it's a good exposure.

06:58 And you said that your cyber journey began during the time of President of PINOY.

07:04 And yesterday, you were described as the AFP Cyberwoman.

07:10 Can you tell us more about this? Why are you being known as a cyberwoman?

07:15 And I understand that you won an international award.

07:19 How many countries is that? More than 60 countries?

07:23 More than 60 countries and the award went. Can you tell us more about this?

07:27 During the time of PINOY, we greatly enhanced the technology,

07:35 the digitalization of the presidential security group.

07:39 So we were able to set up server farms and all of those things.

07:42 So the cyber security aspect is needed.

07:46 So in 2020, the Philippines, we were recognized as one of the top 10 women in security of the Philippines.

07:55 So two years after, it elevated.

07:59 So I was nominated and I was chosen as one of the top 30 women in ASEAN, cyber security in ASEAN.

08:06 So this last year, 2023, there were 62 countries with multiple nominations from each country.

08:14 And it was really very tedious selection.

08:17 And we're really very fortunate that I was shortlisted.

08:20 And the final one, categorized as the, my category is Cyber Security Woman Leader of the Year

08:27 because I was battalion commander then.

08:30 So our opponent are two phenomenal women from the US.

08:34 And it was a voting, the last one.

08:36 And I thank the people of the Philippines for the votes.

08:41 And we were able to bag that title of Cyber Security Woman Leader of the Year.

08:47 The Philippines won for 2023.

08:50 So we're really looking forward to what you will do as a cyber security expert.

08:56 Before, if I still have time, I would like to ask more about that.

08:59 But let's first talk about what you can say about the continued support

09:05 that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is giving to the uniformed personnel of AFP.

09:11 And he also announced approval for additional funds for rice subsidy and tertiary health care for military personnel.

09:21 How much of a big help is this to the military?

09:25 First of all, I would like to thank the Armed Forces of the Philippines,

09:29 President Ferdinand R. Marcos, for his continued support to our Armed Forces.

09:36 This is a big thing for our soldiers because our focus will be more on mission accomplishment.

09:44 So what we say to the Armed Forces, it's always the welfare of your men and the accomplishment of the mission.

09:54 And so this one falls into the category of welfare of our men.

09:57 So this is a big thing that we are giving to our soldiers.

10:03 Okay. So about the modernization of AFP, we asked for an update on this.

10:09 Where is the focus? You said you are already in Phase 3.

10:13 Yes, ma'am. We are in the works of the Horizon 1 and Horizon 2 projects.

10:18 And the Horizon 3, ma'am, is up for approval. It is not approved as of now.

10:25 But moving forward, we are looking at procuring more ships, more aircrafts,

10:31 and improving our communication systems for the upcoming projects of Horizon 3.

10:36 Okay. What is this particular upcoming project?

10:42 So now, ma'am, since it's in the planning stages, it's up to the technical working groups to look at what are the viable solutions

10:50 for the present threats that we are facing and also the shift from internal security operations to our external defense.

10:58 Okay. So what does this mean? We will get the new equipment for the AFP,

11:05 which has been suggested by the countrymen and officials. Is this included?

11:12 Yes, ma'am.

11:14 Okay. So let's talk about the guerrilla fronts in the country. Ma'am, what is the latest news about this?

11:21 Recently, we have a NPA rebel leader.

11:25 Yes, ma'am. As of our command conference, from 22 fronts, we're down to 11 weekend guerrilla fronts.

11:34 But as our President said, we don't have active guerrilla fronts as of this time.

11:43 So they are already dwindling in numbers and also, that's our current situation.

11:50 Before, they were at 25,000. Now, they are at 1,500.

11:56 Okay. So I hope this will continue so that we can focus on our needs for the country.

12:03 Now, we have a question from our media partner, Jovilan Rita of GMA News Online.

12:10 Counterintelligence group is reactivated. Why did it come back? When and why was it deactivated in the first place?

12:20 Ma'am, in terms of the counterintelligence group, the armed forces, every year, for a period of years,

12:30 we have different campaign plans. And of course, it depends on the threat situation.

12:35 So our units will also adjust to the pressing situation.

12:41 So it's really like that. Not really because one unit was just removed and removed.

12:46 But of course, we marry the different units according to the threats that we are facing.

12:53 So it's like that. Now, it was brought back based on the pronouncement that we will enhance our intelligence gathering measures.

13:00 Alright. So before I give you a message, we want to get to know you better.

13:05 Many are curious if you are married already. Do you have a wife? Do you have a child?

13:12 Can you give us a bit of a background about this?

13:15 Ma'am, I have two sons. They're all grown up now. They're my two mature sons.

13:21 One is already graduated and the other is following our footsteps.

13:25 PMA-er?

13:26 PMA-er, ma'am. He's a young man.

13:28 PMA-er? Wow.

13:30 He's a yearling in PMA. But I'm already a widow, ma'am, since 2015.

13:35 Alright. So I'm sure your husband was also with the AFP?

13:41 Yes, ma'am. He's my staff.

13:43 Oh, okay.

13:44 So we're both members of PMA class 2000.

13:47 And we also hear a lot about your husband and if he was alive, what do you think he'd say to you now?

13:54 Full support by the Lutes, ma'am.

13:56 Okay. So your last message to our fellow Filipinos who are watching us now.

14:01 To you, thank you for giving us the opportunity for the AFP's voice to be heard.

14:07 We just like to put it out there that the AFP would always be here for the Philippines.

14:13 So our goal is, of course, to protect the people and secure the state.

14:18 And we will be following, of course, what's mandated by law, international laws in all of our operations.

14:24 So we are here to help in the development of our beloved country, the Philippines.

14:33 Thank you so much, ma'am.

14:35 The new Philippines is just here now.

14:37 If you need what you said, what the people need to know about the AFP.

14:43 And thank you so much again for your time.

14:46 And once again, congratulations. All the best to you.

14:50 Colonel Franzel Margaret Padilla, the spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

14:56 Thank you.

14:57 Thank you, Nina.

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