Newly-designated Army official vows to prioritize welfare, livelihood of the people in Davao, Soccksargen

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 3): Newly-designated Army official vows to prioritize welfare, livelihood of the people in Davao, Soccksargen

Newly-designated chief of the 10th Infantry Agila Division, Major General Rafael Valencia, vowed to put first the welfare of the people in all its peace operations in its area of responsibility.

He told the Aguila troops to consider primarily the impact of its operations to the welfare and livelihood of the people, particularly the future of the children.

“Along this line, our troops must come to a shared concept of security with the people in the community, with the local government and other national government agencies and the civil society. We must understand that security is more than just the occurrence of violent conflict. It has other components like food, jobs, shelter, economy, health, environment, political, community and personal concerns,” he pointed out.

Valencia underscored that the difficulties experienced by the people on these components are exploited by the rebel movement to recruit and entice the people to join in their struggle.

He said the government through the line agencies has comprehensive programs to address these insecurities.

“It is imperative for all government agencies to work together and address these insecurities especially in far-flung areas,” Valencia said.

He said that the troops can be a conduit to deliver the peace and development programs to where it is needed most.

Valencia also called on the rebels to lay down their weapons but not to abandon their dreams for the welfare of their respective families and communities.

“Join us in our Bayanihan to achieve your dreams for the future of your children without the use of force,” he said.

Valencia also vowed to use the full force of law to defeat those who continue to fight government by employing all its capabilities to secure the people and communities from violent and deceptive activities.

He also assured that the troops pay high respect to the human rights, rule of law and the International Humanitarian Law in the conduct of all security operations at all times.

“I therefore expect every officer and soldier to be well-trained on basic military skills and every aspect of our operations. We must also pursue the institutionalization of the Army Transformation Roadmap throughout the Agila Division, down to the last rifleman,” Valencia said.

He also reminded officers to uplift the morale of the troops and be impartial in the forthcoming political exercise in 2016.

Valencia told the troops to be extra-careful that their acts might not be misconstrued as being partial to a political organization.

He also vowed to carry on the responsibilities as the 8th commander of the unit.

Earlier, Valencia took cognizance of the vast accomplishments of his predecessors and the Aguila troopers in keeping the peace in Davao and Socsksargen (South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani ang General Santos City) region like the focused military operation against the rebels and Serbisyo-caravan initiated by both the national and local governments and all peace stakeholders.

“I am fully aware the need to sustain these gains and finish the fight,” Valencia said. (

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=800146