Rappler Talk: Moving on after Mamasapano

From Rappler (Mar 6): Rappler Talk: Moving on after Mamasapano

Armed Forces chief Catapang talks to Rappler about recent events that shook the Philippine military, and what can be done to move forward

[Video interview: Rappler Talk: AFP chief Gen Gregorio Catapang Jr. on moving on after Mamasapano
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c44TPFNee_k]

 

Rappler talked to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr.

Catapang visited soldiers in the frontline of an all-out-war against members of a breakaway Muslim rebel group, Bangsamoro Freedom Fighters, in Maguindanao Wednesday, March 4.

Catapang gave gold and bronze cross medals to two officers and five enlisted men who helped extract members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force on January 25 after a mission to kill Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. The police operation left 44 police, 18 rebels and five civilians dead.

Since last week military spokesmen say two camps of BIFF were overrun by soldiers in Maguindanao and nine BIFF rebels were killed.

What lessons did the military learn as an institution in dealing with the Muslims and indigenous people, and the realistic prospects for peace at this point? How successful is the Philippines' fight against terrorism? What is the military's role in this?

How about the situation in the South China Sea, where the Philippines claims disputed territories that cause tension between China? How is the AFP's modernization coming along? What is the military's role in climate change adaptation?

Watch the interview here.

http://www.rappler.com/video/talkthursday/85812-catapang-moving-on-after-mamasapano