Army chief gives emphasis on mental health

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Philippine Army chief Lieutenant General Romeo Brawner Jr. has advocated for mental health in boosting the morale and welfare of the soldiers.

Brawner said that mental health is a concern not only among Army personnel but other branches of the uniform services, as well.

The Philippine Army chief made the pronouncement as he spoke before members of the 3rd Infantry Division during the unit’s 49th founding anniversary celebration at Camp Macario Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz on Wednesday, May 31.

But Brawner believed that the problem is not prevalent in the organization.

“Maybe, it’s because of the pandemic na rin. But kung may isa mang sundalo na affected because of mental health, that’s more than what we want. We need to assess the problem,” he said.

“But we’re happy to say that because of the interventions that we are doing within the ranks of the AFP and the Philippine Army, we are able to address the problem on mental health,” Brawner added.

He said the Philippine Army has an existing program to address the mental health issues of its personnel.

“In fact, we have a mental health desk sa bawat unit. This mental health desk would not just do proactive measures but also preventive ones to help those with mental health problems,” he said.

On top of that, Brawnee pushed to have a permanent squad of personnel.

“In that way, mababantayan mg aming squad leader ang mga tauhan nila. Ang bawat miyembro ng squad ay nababantayan din nila.

‘Pag may problema ang isang member, pwedeng lumapit sa mga members ng squad para humingi ng tulong,” he said.

Brawner said that it’s one reason why a squad should not be changed.

On February 2023. Brawner ordered a review of the Army’s mental health programs after a shooting binge inside a military camp in Cagayan de Oro City that killed five soldiers and another one wounded.

It can be noted that Private Johmar Villabito, who was assigned to the Army’s Service Support Battalion, went on a shooting rampage that killed Sergeant Rogelio Rojo Jr, Corporal Bernard Rodrigo, Private First Class Prince Kevin Balaba and Private Joseph Tamayo

Staff Sergeant Braulio Macalos Jr. was wounded during the incident.

The rookie soldier then went into another room where two soldiers – Pvt. Mark Anthony Aguined and Pfc. Josiah Estrada – grappled for his rifle.

Aguined was able to neutralize Villabito.

Brawner ordered a deeper look into the proper recruitment procedures of recruits.

However, he also acknowledged that while the soldiers hurdle neuro-psychiatric examinations, they might also be exposed to situations that would bring trauma into their lives.