Army vows to help sustain peace, development in Albay

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 2): Army vows to help sustain peace, development in Albay

Members of the Philippine Army deployed in Albay have been ordered to sustain the thriving peace and development in the province. Brig. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, commanding officer of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division based in Pili, Camarines Sur, told the newly installed commander of the Albay-based 2nd Infantry Battalion that the improvements in security and development in the area must be sustained at all costs.

“The present situation in Albay that has been improving each day is a proof of our assurance to the people that we are here serving and securing their peace, and the New People’s Army does not want to stay in peaceful and progressing communities,” Visayas said.

He noted that since May last year, NPA rebels reportedly had left their camps in Albay and had been along the boundaries but nevertheless are always waiting for opportunities to strike and catch the soldiers flatfooted.

Visayas warned the soldiers never to allow any similar incident like late last year’s torching by NPA rebels of the heavy equipment being utilized at the onsite and offsite preparations of the Southern Luzon International Airport in Barangay Alobo in Daraga town.

That incident is believed behind the battalion’s ‘changing of the guards’, where the higher Army command installed Lt. Col. Andrew Costelo vice Lt. Col. Audrey Pacia despite the latter’s efficient performance in his 21-month stint as battalion commander. “It must not happen again. The people of Albay deserves our best,” Visaya said.

Costelo assured Visaya that under his command, no soldier in the battalion will be left behind in education and skills development in an effort to serve better the people and that, “no soldier will perform his duty for duty’s sake.” He was Visaya’s former chief of civil-military operations and among the military intelligence general staff corps of the Army division.

Costelo's expertise in intelligence operations will be put to test in this year’s election period against possible NPA atrocities and extortion activities, with Visaya giving a marching order to prevent and stop.

“The Army is cognizant of the various efforts done in Albay to bring in development and progress. We take pride seeing in the news various programs on tourism, economic development, disaster preparedness and human resource developments that are all gaining pace, and we want it sustained,” Visayas added, referring to the accomplishments of the provincial government led by Governor Joey Salceda.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=493557