AFP guardedly optimistic of beating NPA threat

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 8): AFP guardedly optimistic of beating NPA threat

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday expressed guarded optimism that this time -- after more than 50 years -- it finally has what it takes to defeat the rebel threat.

AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said this time, the military has a more clearer blueprint or program on what approach to defeat the insurgency problem in its newly-activated Development Support and Security Plan (DSSP) "Kapayapaan" which has four strategic concepts:

- Sustained military operation to defeat the foreign and local terrorist organizations;

- Contribute to the promotion of peace;

- Active support to law enforcement in war against drugs; and

- Contribute to nation building.

Under DSSP "Kapayapaan", the local governments and good governance, private sector will play a major role in defeating the rebel threat as it through them that development will be coursed down to countryside, thus ensuring the trickling down of economic progress.

"No matter how long or prolonged our combat operations against them, as long as the rebels don't have the means to improve their livelihood, insurgency will remain. Now if we can get the local government units and good governance and private sector support, the AFP will be willing to provide the security component, so that the seeds of growth and development for nation well-being (can be planted)," Arevalo said in Filipino.

Aside from the socio-civic component, the AFP is now more equipped with better weapons to fight the rebel and other threats.
"We are now in a better position to fight the enemies of the State, we will employ elite units from the Army, Navy, Marines and the Philippine Air Force in the conduct of a surgical focused, deliberate and intelligence-driven combat-civil operations," he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=962149