AFP continues cleansing ranks

From the Visayan Daily Star (Oct 10): AFP continues cleansing ranks

Armed Forces chief of staff, Gen. Ricardo Visaya, vowed to continue the cleansing of its rank and file employees, through on-the-spot random drug tests even as more than 300 soldiers were already dismissed from the military service for drug-related charges in the past five years.

Visaya, who recently visited the 3rd Infantry Division headquarters at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz, said he will ensure that illegal drug activity will not seep into the AFP and its personnel.

Before the Oplan Double Barrel campaign of the Philippine National Police took effect in July this year, Visaya told 3ID personnel and civilian employees that the AFP has long been campaigning against illegal drugs.

He said the AFP will play a support role in the anti-drug campaign of the PNP by providing them with information on suspected drug syndicates, and the Armed Forces is ready anytime to augment them in the conduct of anti-drug operations.

Visaya also ordered all Bayanihan Teams to remain in their areas of responsibility to help communities with their non-traditional role in civil military operations and Bayanihan activities, in lieu of the ongoing ceasefire with the New People's Army.

He reaffirmed the 100 percent support of the AFP towards the eventual realization of peace.

“Mas maganda ang sitwasyon natin pag may kapayapaan. Suportahan natin ang peace talk (Our situation will be good if we have peace. We should support the peace talk)”, he said, noting also that even the international community lauded the boldness of President Rodrigo Duterte in extending a hand of peace to the communist rebels.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2016/October/10/negor2.htm