IN GUIHULNGAN//AFP to redeploy troops

From the Visayan Daily Star (Aug 1): IN GUIHULNGAN//AFP to redeploy troops

The commander of the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines has announced that troops will soon be deployed to Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, following the July 21 ambush in the area that left six policemen and a civilian dead.

CentCom commander, Maj. Gen. Oscar Lactao, said the redeployment of troops to the area will be considered soon, likely after the normalization of the situation in Marawi City. The 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Guihulngan City was pulled out months back due to the conflict in Mindanao.

Lactao described the recent Guihulngan ambush as a retaliatory attack by the New People's Army terrorists because of their losses in an encounter with government troops in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental earlier.

It was just unfortunate that the communist terrorists took advantage of the policemen who were just responding to a call for police assistance in Barangay Magsaysay, Guihulngan, he told reporters in Dumaguete Saturday.

President Rodrigo Duterte visited Guihulngan Thursday to condole with the families of the slain police personnel, and award medals to the killed and wounded policemen. He also announced additional battalions to beef up the military.

He reiterated that he is no longer open to peace talks with the NPA, and challenged Jose Marie Sison, the founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines, to come back to the Philippines and fight alongside the NPA, the armed wing of the CPP.

On Saturday, Lactao witnessed the inter-agency capability demonstration exercise against attacks by terrorists at the seas off Dumaguete City.

In his message, Lactao said that while the military has the firepower and information when they engage the enemy, what is most important is to have a leadership that can make things happen in a certain local government unit.

He lauded the leadership of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, who for a span of four to five months, was able to mobilize line agencies in the campaign against terrorism, which he believes is a manifestation of a good, professional, and efficient leader.

Lactao stressed that no matter how good the army or the police, it will not be able to squarely confront the challenges of security if the leader in that area is not cooperative.

He pointed out that the initial response will really come from the community.

It is not just a right but an obligation on the part of the citizenry to assist government to secure our society because there could be no development without security, Lactao said.

Also present during the simulation exercise was Negros Island Region police director, Chief Supt. Edmund Gonzales, who confirmed the directives from higher headquarters for the army and the police to be always vigilant and proactive.

To do this, Gonzales said they need to have a very good intelligence build up in areas frequented by the rebels.

He added that the best armament against terrorism is intelligence to prevent and preempt plans of the enemy, rather than reactive.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2017/August/01/negor1.htm