As he bids the officers and enlisted personnel of the Pili,
Camarines-based 9th Infantry Division goodbye on Monday, outgoing Southern
Luzon Command (SOLCOM) chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya urged troops to
wholeheartedly support incoming President Rodrigo Duterte.
Visaya is the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)'s next
chief-of-staff who is scheduled to assume command on July 1, a day after
Duterte's inauguration.
"Let us support the next administration the way we
support the current administration," he said to the 9th Infantry Division
which is commanded by Major Gen. Ferdinand Quidilla.
Visaya also narrated to 9th Infantry Division troops that
when he was called by Duterte in Davao City, the president-elect ordered him to
focus on addressing the persisting Abu Sayyaf Group threats in Mindanao; the
AFP's support to law enforcement operations of the Philippine National Police;
and the nation-wide anti-illegal drug campaign.
"Don't use illegal drugs," he warned the troops,
stressing that the AFP will be very strict on this matter.
The incoming AFP chief also urged military personnel not to
be misled by rumors of Duterte slowly moving the country to communism and coup
d'état rumors.
"His talking to different anti-government
groups/organizations; his offer of cabinet posts to the Communist Party are due
to his dream of creating change which leads to true peace," he added.
"If he really wanted the country to become communist,
then why did he designate many former military men to his Cabinet," Visaya
said.
"Do not believe in coup rumors because there is no
coup," he stressed.
Visaya said that the AFP leadership is solid to the
Constitution, the organization and the chain-of-command.
As this develops, the incoming AFP chief reminded all 9th
Infantry Division brigade and battalion commanders not to relax, instead,
continue pressuring the New People's Army (NPA) through focused military
operations.
"Until no official and clear-cut guidelines have been
issued, until no formal talks have been made, we 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 added.
From Jan. 1 to date, the military in Bicol neutralized 21
NPAs (10 killed, nine captured/ apprehended, two surrendered).
Also, 23 high-powered firearms, eight lower-powered firearms
and 131 improvised explosive devices were captured.
But he said the the AFP will support all peace initiatives
of the next administration.
"Let us just abide to instructions coming from the
Chain-of-Command. Let us obey and follow," Visaya stressed.
The outgoing SOLCOM Chief thanked the Officers, men and
women of 9th Infantry Division for all the support given to him during his
term.
"My job as commander, SOLCOM is made easier because of
your cooperation and support," he added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=896800
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