Incoming Armed Forces of the Philippines
Visaya, incumbent Southern Luzon Command chief, flew in to
Bicol to personally bid goodbye to his men at the Army's 9th Infantry Division
based here.
He will assume as AFP Chief of Staff on July 1.
The incoming AFP chief shared Duterte’s guidance during the
command conference and directed the men and women of the 9th Infantry Division
led by Commander Major Gen. Ferdinand F. Quidilla to intensify military
operations against the communist guerrillas until no clear-cut guidelines are
given.
Visaya reiterated that the rebels announced that they would
launch offensive tactical operations against government troops until the last
day in office of outgoing President Benigno C. Aquino III.
"Until no official and clear-cut guidelines have been
issued, until no formal talks have been made, we will continue with our current
operations in Bicol. Remember that the NPA announced that they will increase
tactical offensives against government forces until the last day of the Aquino
administration," he told his men.
The outgoing Solcom chief reminded the infantry brigade and
battalion commanders not to relax, instead, to continue pushing the military
pressure against the NPAs through focused military operations.
From January 1 to date, the Army in Bicol has neutralized 21
NPA rebels, killed 10 and captured 9 others while two others gave up their
guns.
Similarly, the Army’s 9th ID seized 23 high-powered firearms
and 8 low-powered firearms and recovered 131 improvised explosive devices.
However, Visaya said, the AFP will support all peace
initiatives of the next administration.
"Let us just abide by instructions coming from the
chain of command. Let us obey and follow," the top AFP official said.
Visaya told the troops that when he was called in Davao , Duterte said the AFP should focus on addressing the
persisting Abu Sayyaf group's threats in Mindanao ;
support the law enforcement operations of the police and the nationwide
anti-illegal drug campaign.
He also warned soldiers not to use use illegal drugs and
stressed that the AFP will be strict on this matter.
As to the reported coup, Visaya told his men not to be
misled by rumors of Duterte slowly moving the country to communism.
"He's talking with different anti-government groups and
organizations and his offer of Cabinet posts to the communist party are in
pursuit of peace. President Duterte is aiming to attain genuine peace. If he
really wanted the country to become communist, then why did he designate many
former military men to his Cabinet," he said.
Visaya urged the soldiers to support the next administration
and not to believe the reported coup rumors against the incoming president.
"Let us support the next administration the way we have
supported the current administration. Do not believe in coup rumors because
there is no coup. The AFP leadership is solidly behind the Constitution, the
organization and the chain of command,” he said.
The outgoing Solcom chief expressed profound gratitude to
the officers, men and women of the 9th ID for all the support given to him
during his term as AFP commander in Southern Luzon .
"My job as Solcom commander is made easier because of
your cooperation and support. Even when I am already at the GHQ, I am still the
same General Visaya you have known," the incoming AFP chief of staff said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=897269
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