New military NCR chief to destabilizers: Don’t try

From Malaya Business Insight (Jan 4): New military NCR chief to destabilizers: Don’t try

AN Army general who once led the campaign against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu is the new commander of the Joint Task Force National Capital Region which is tasked to secure the seat of government from destabilization.

Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado assumed command of the JTF NCR in rites presided by AFP chief Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero yesterday at the unit’s headquarters inside Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Arrojado, former deputy commander of the AFP’s Central Command based in Cebu City, succeeded Brig. Gen. Jesus Mananquil who was named commander of the 9th Infantry Division in Camarines Sur.

Asked for his thrust as JTF NCR commander, Arrojado said, “We will do our best. We are going to be effective in our mandate to secure the seat of government from destabilizers.”

Protecting the seat of government from coup plotters is the primary mandate of the JTF NCR, previously known as the National Capital Region Command. The unit is also helping the PNP in maintaining peace and order in the metropolis.

“Don’t try,” Arrojado told groups who may be planning to unseat the administration.

Government officials last year said the political opposition has plans to destabilize the Duterte administration. The military downplayed this, saying it has not gotten such reports.

Arrojado, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1984, led the campaign against the Abu Sayyaf as concurrent commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu and 501st Brigade.

In April 2016 or after two years of leading the fight against the terrorist group, Arrojado resigned from his post, saying it was “due to conflict of approach (with his superior officers) in addressing the ASG threats in Sulu.”

His resignation also came days after the Abu Sayyaf beheaded a Canadian hostage and a day before the military announced he was being relieved from the task group. Military officials said then Arrojado was relieved because he had been leading the brigade for two years. Based on military rules, no officer can resign from a major position.

Aside from protecting the seat of government, JTF NCR is also tasked to address terrorist threat in Metro Manila.

AFP chief Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero said Arrojado’s expertise in the fight against terrorism, specifically against the Abu Sayyaf, will be valuable in his new job.

http://malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/new-military-ncr-chief-destabilizers-don%E2%80%99t-try