Military operations assessed

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jun 7): Military operations assessed

The national convenor of Bantay Bayanihan said, during the policy reform study circle held in Dumaguete City recently, that their assessment shows that the military had a passing rate in terms of operations.

Katheline Tolosa said positive developments were noted, reforms undertaken and positive changes are done by the military that, for the first time had opened up its plans to civilians, and for civil societies to see if what they are doing is actually according to plan.

However, Bantay Bayanihan, a civil society organization, wants to make sure that these positive developments are actually reflected in the policies so that every time a change of command happens, the public does not have to worry that the military might go back to the negative picture that it had before.

Tolosa said it is important that what is happening in the operations aspect of the military is based not just on the personality of the present commander.

“What happens if we have a commander who is not open to the paradigm shift that the IPSC Bayanihan espouses?” Tolosa asked. “We need to make sure these changes are reflected in the policies,” she added.

She also said the AFP’s IPSC Bayanihan is a good plan, but added that not all good plans mean good implementation. “So we have to make sure that the implementation is according to what was written in the plan,” she said.

Division commander of the 3rdInfantry Maj. Gen Aurelio Baladad, however, failed to make a respond while in Dumaguete due to the arrival of the 20thInfantry Battalion, except for Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office provincial director, Senior Supt. Mariano Paez Natu-el Jr., who found time to be with the Bantay Bayanihan discussions on peace and security issues.

302ndBrigade commander, Brig. Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, reiterated earlier pronouncements that there is no pull out of troops in the province but a temporary replacement of the 79thInfantry Battalion which will undergo retraining.

A pull-out of the 79thIB means a violation of the memorandum of agreement that was signed by the Army, the PNP and the province upon the declaration of Negros Oriental as a conflict manageable and development ready province.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/June/07/negor5.htm