New military command chief to review anti-NPA strategies

From Malaya (Apr 29): New military command chief to review anti-NPA strategies

THE new military commander in Northern Mindanao yesterday said a re-assessment of New People’s Army strength and presence in the area will be conducted to determine the “right approach” to the insurgency problem.

“It’s more of identification of their centers of gravity,” said Brig. Gen. Ricardo Visaya who assumed as officer in charge of the 4th Infantry Division last Friday vice Maj. Gen. Nestor Añonuevo.

The 4th ID covers the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte.

Camiguin and Misamis Oriental were declared insurgency-free by the military in December 2011, along with at least 20 other areas. “Insurgency-free” means NPA presence in the area is negligible.

Añonuevo was relieved from his post after a series of NPA offensives, capped by the April 20 ambush of the convoy of Gingoog City Mayor Ruth Guingona, mother of Sen. Teofisto Guingona III who belongs to the Liberal Party of President Aquino. Two bodyguards died while Guingona and another escort were injured in the ambush.

About a week before the ambush, NPA rebels conducted a series of atrocities in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur, kidnapping eight militiamen, two policemen and a civilian. All the hostages have been released except the policemen who escaped.

Military sources said Añonuevo, who assumed the top 4th ID post last October, was ordered sacked by the AFP leadership due to the recent events in his area of responsibility.

“The ambush was the tipping point. Such incident is a loss on the part of the security forces. That’s a failure on the part of the security forces to protect its citizens,” said an official who asked not to be named.

“Worse, it occurred in a supposed insurgency-free area,” the source also said.

Visaya said once the centers of gravity are identified, “the right operations should be applied…It’s of course the triad operations (combat, intelligence and civil military),” he said.

AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos said Visaya, a Scout Ranger and civil military operations officer (CMO), always finds the “proper mix of CMO and combat operations” in areas where he was assigned.

Visaya, previously the deputy commander of the Army’s 6th ID in Maguindanao, also commanded Army brigades in Bicol and Basilan.

Another ranking military official, Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta, commander of the Army’s 3rd ID, said about a half of the candidates in his area of responsibility have given in to the NPA demand for “permit to campaign” and “permit to win” fees.

The 3rd ID’s jurisdiction includes Panay Island, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Siquijor and Guimaras.

Mabanta said the military and the police are planning to pursue charges against the candidates but could not immediately say the specific case they will file.

“We have data to support that a handful of political contenders are extending financial assistance and giving in to the demands of the CPP-NPA extortionists. We will not allow this and we will ensure that their decision to give in will have legal repercussions,” said Mabanta.
He stressed he has “complete data” on the candidates who gave extortion money to the NPA but said he could not divulge their names because this is a “very touchy” issue.

“My estimate is that half of the political contenders in all positions are paying. That is in my area and that is also true in other areas,” said Mabanta.

Mabanta said local candidates are being asked by the NPA to pay P50,000 up to P5 million. He said he is not aware if candidates for senator have also paid such fees to the insurgents.

He said the communist movement is aiming to raise P150 million in permit to campaign (PTC) and permit to win (PTW) fees.

“We have been telling them (candidates) not to give in because we don’t really know what will happen…They will be buying arms and ammunitions and these may be fired and used against them some other time, not necessarily now,” he said.

Mabanta said there is no guarantee that a politician, upon payment of the PTC and PTW fees, will not be harassed by the insurgents, noting communist movement’s “factious leadership.”

http://www.malaya.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/29746-new-military-command-chief-to-review-anti-npa-strategies