Stronger AFP-PNP partnership seen in E. Visayas

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 17): Stronger AFP-PNP partnership seen in E. Visayas

A stronger partnership between the military and the police will benefit the people in Eastern Visayas and will usher prosperity and progress, the region’s top police official said.

“The convergence of efforts between the Philippine National Police and our counterparts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, together with the active support of other stakeholders, will ensure a peaceful atmosphere and will drive economic development,” said C/Supt. Elmer R. Soria, director of Police Regional Office 8.

He added that he will closely coordinate with Brig. Gen. Jet Velarmino, the newly installed commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, in neutralizing the insurgency problem and maintaining the peace and order in the region.

Soria and Velarmino belong to the Philippine Military Academy “Sandigan” class of 1982.

“We will be working together to crush terrorist and criminal activities which undermine peace and stability in Eastern Visayas,” Soria disclosed.

The police official also lauded the achievements of Maj. Gen. Gerardo T. Layug, Velarmino’s predecessor, in addressing the insurgency problem during his 17-month stint as the region’s top military official.

“We wish Sir Layug the best on his retirement. With 37 years of dedicated service to our country and the Filipino people, he certainly deserves a grand vacation and relax with his family,” Soria added.

It was during Layug’s watch that the province of Eastern Samar was declared as “Manageable Conflict-Affected and Development Ready Province” on March 25, 2013.

Meanwhile, the litmus test for the strengthened AFP-PNP partnership will be the barangay elections next month when some 2.6 million voters from this region will select their village leaders.

“Just like in the May midterm elections, we will be working closely with the military in various security operations to ensure a peaceful barangay polls,” the police official averred.

This joint effort include the establishment of joint AFP-PNP checkpoints, the campaign against loose firearms and neutralization of wanted persons, to include members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

The PRO8 and 8th ID PA have also jointly conducted several internal peace and security operations in the past that led to the neutralization of several NPA leaders, including the arrests of Maricar Adlao alias Diwa/Apple,Political Officer of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVPRC); Allie Tafalla alias Macao, Secretary of Section Committee of Central Samar, Samar Provincial Party Committee (SPPC); Juan Paolo Rodrigo Verzosa alias Kokoy, Intelligence Officer of the SPPC and his wife Grace alias Lenon, Staff of the Reproduction Bureau, EVRPC in Brgy Fortune, Marikina City and Esther Belicario alias Edna Montes, Secretary of Provincial White Area Committee in Eastern Samar.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=566562