A Veteran’s Last Stand: Goodbye AFP Museum???

Recent reports that the AFP Museum located inside Camp Crame will be shutting down soon due to 2 years’ worth of unpaid electricity bills reaching up P1.375 million.

To those who are not aware, the AFP museum is a private foundation handled by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Museum and Historical Library Foundation Inc. and does not fall under the budget of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Established in 1996, it was to dedicate and promote the AFP’s culture and history as well as military traditions and items of recognition.

The museum spends around P40,000 to P50,000 a month for electricity and in November 2013, the Armed Forces started billing the museum for expenses considering the latter as a tenant operating on AFP property, despite having a verbal agreement that some of the expenses would be subsidized.

The AFP museum survives on admission fees, donation from veterans, interested individuals, and grants but in the past 2 years could not pay the growing electricity bill as income wasn’t enough.


A RAY OF HOPE!

The AFP is aware of the importance of the museum as it not only honors the military but also inspire those who wishes to become recruits. The AFP Museum administrator Elizabeth Dapiton assured everyone that the museum won’t be closing any time soon and that the military is willing to discuss the unsettled payment with the foundation. Museum operations will continue as normal.

Inside the AFP Museum

Inside the 2 storey building boasts a collection of war relics, weapons, and documents dating from the Spanish colonial period up to the 2013 Zamboanga Crisis. One example is a uniform worn by no other than the first president, General Emilio Aguinaldo. It also displays an exhibit of paintings and scale models of battle stratagems used by our military. Scattered throughout the compound are preserved tanks and artillery weapons such as the M4 Sherman tank and the M101 Howitzer.

Some of these rust buckets are still used today by our military and some may say are obsolete when compared to other countries but for the men and women in uniform, it is a symbol bring pride and strength! These brave soldiers have proven that no matter how obsolete their resources were, they still managed to give the enemy a hard time and fight back. They have the heart, the skills, the courage; and that’s all they needed to do their job.

Just like any other museum we encourage you and those who are interested to go visit the place! The AFP museum is only 1 of 3 places to visit about our military history. The memories you’ll bring home is more than enough to keep their stories alive.

Open from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm
Entrance fee: P20 but is free for war veterans and to those serving the military.
Address: General Arturo Building, Capinpin Ave, Quezon City, Metro Manila.
Contact: 912-7664

NOW STAND AT ATTENTION MAGGOT! DON’T JUST STAND THERE AND STARE, GET OUT THERE AND BE A HERO!

Written by : Peter Danielle Rallos
Edited by : AXL Guinto

Source Reference :
http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/221113/afp-museum-in-danger-of-losing-electricity-due-to-unpaid-bills
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/02/02/1548980/afp-museum-not-shutting-down-now
Photo Reference :
http://spcbocaue.blogspot.com/2012/09/hs-principals-council-inspects-places.html
http://theglasssneakers.blogspot.com/2014/10/lets-museum-hop.html