The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has signed a
memorandum of understanding (MOU) with concerned local government units and
agencies regarding the promotion of maritime safety and security in the
archipelagic areas of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and other
critical areas of the country.
Signing took place last Aug. 25 at AFP general headquarters
in Camp Aguinaldo ,
Quezon City
Signatories to the MOU were Department of Transportation
Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, Department of Interior and Local Government
Secretary Ismael Sueño, Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin N.
Lorenzana, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Director Eduardo B.
Gongona, Office of Transport Safety officer-in-charge Miguel FF Oraa, Maritime
Industry Authority administrator Marcial Quirico C. Amaro lll, Philippine Ports
Authority general manager Jay Daniel R Santiago, Philippine Coast Guard
commandant Vice Admiral William M. Melad, ARMM Gov. Mujiv S. Hataman and AFP
chief-of-staff Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya.
Through the MOU, the AFP is empowered to enforce regulations
governing use of high-speed watercraft at three gross tonnage or smaller, said
military public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo.
"The AFP is likewise deputized thereby to confiscate
unregistered sea crafts and dismantle illegally constructed ports; mitigate
movements of terrorist and criminal groups; and negate their ability to
endanger national security," he added.
While Visaya lauds this latest collaboration as it provides
the AFP legal wherewithal to address terrorism, piracy, human and drug
trafficking, kidnapping for ransom, and other allied criminal activities in our
vast and porous boarders.
"The AFP for its part will judiciously and
conscientiously discharge these powers to help in the governments drive against
nefarious criminal and terrorist elements. Makaaasa po kayo na tutugon ang
inyong Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas sa hamon at tiwala ng aming
Commander-in-Chief, Presidente Rodrigo Duterte," he said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=917659
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