In fiscal year 2023-2024, the BDF was purchasing 1,320 pounds of baby back ribs annually.
But Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez today told us he has never eaten BDF baby back in his 32 years in the army. So, where did all those ribs go? Here's what he said when we asked him today:
Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez, Commander, BDF
"I said I've never eaten baby back ribs, which is true. I've never had, but that doesn't mean that it's not purchased, right? We tell the Ministry of Defense, 'This is what we want.' And we want baby back ribs and conchs and shrimp and lobster for special events. One special event we had was last week, Wednesday, when we had the recruit passing out and the change of responsibility."
"However, after these events are over, we stock some of them as well, and then whatever remains in stock, we give to the soldiers, so we send it to the battalions, the units in P.G. and Belizario. And few soldiers get to enjoy these because the ones on camp get to enjoy it, not the ones being deployed. So it's a small number of soldiers that actually get to enjoy these things. Like I told you before, like I mentioned before, I've never had it, the privilege of having it, you know, the baby back ribs, but some soldiers do, and they enjoy it. And then what we do as well is some of the extra stuff that we have, we use on a, if we have a cooking course, the new cooks, they do a culinary delight or treat, and everyone here, for example, at Price Barracks, is invited to go and sample these exquisite food that they make."
Jaleeza Roberts:
"Did you yourself see that persons around you or around your table were enjoying these baby back ribs?"
Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez, Commander, BDF
"I have never seen. Yes, I have heard. I have spoken to some other commanders, and they have received, the unit commanders, the battalion commanders, they have received the baby back ribs and the conchs and everything else, and they have given it to their soldiers."
