Latest update November 21st, 2024 1:00 AM
GDF watches ‘serious external threats’ to Guyana’s existence as a state – Brigadier Phillips
GDF officers with President Donald Ramotar
By Abena Rockcliffe
Speaking at the second Officers’ Conference in his capacity as Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Mark Phillips committed his organization to the continued development of Guyana.
Phillips made this pledge on Thursday as he acknowledged one of the army’s foremost mandates—to contribute to the economic development of the country.
Another mandate of the GDF is to defend the territorial integrity of Guyana. Phillips also recommitted to this directive during opening remarks at the Annual Officer’s Conference which began on Thursday and ended yesterday.
He noted that the duty of territorial defence is being adhered to even as Guyana continues to be subjected to territorial claims from neighbours to the east and to west. He said that Guyana is facing “serious threats” in this regard.
The fact that the Force is on the alert for territorial threats tie significantly into what Phillips said officers would have focused on during the conference.
Phillips said that deliberations over the two days would have been guided by the theme, “Towards greater operational readiness for national defence and security.”
He reminded his officers that this is an obligation as he cited Section 5 of the Defence Act which says that the GDF shall be charged with the defence and maintenance of order in Guyana.
The Chief of staff said that operational readiness remains appropriate as readiness is the goal of all training.
As he stressed a little on training, Phillips urged that men and women of the GDF master the science of training development and recognize the importance of performance based training.
He said that the measure of military professionalism continues to be the Forces’ success in military operation whether deployed on frontiers or in support of civilian authorities
The top ranking army official said that greater operational readiness involves building partnerships with public and private sector agencies and other stakeholders in the national security domain.
He pointed out that officers and ranks of the GDF are trained and tasked with a variety of military and other non military missions including search and rescue on land and sea, disaster relief activities as well as support for other law enforcement agencies to counter illicit trafficking and other anti-crime operations.
Phillips said that the army is also proud to be contributing to the delivery of medical emergency services and educational needs of Guyanese in remote communities.
He said that the GDF will continue to lead in the defence and security sector, contribute to the development of Guyana and will collaborate on diplomatic initiatives “since diplomacy remains our first line of defence.” Phillips added that the Force remains strongly committed to safe guarding democracy in Guyana.
The Chief of Staff sought to assure that the GDF will, in 2015, function to earn the respect of the Guyanese society as military officers.
He added “We submit ourselves to the rule of law and the civilian control of the Guyana Defence Force.”
Phillips said that civilian control remains crucial to military effectiveness in the defence and maintenance of order in Guyana.
He pledged to work with the government of Guyana and other stakeholders to achieve operational readiness for national defence and security of Guyana in 2015.
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