AFP chief Año cites solid peace gains as military celebrates 81st founding anniversary

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 21): AFP chief Año cites solid peace gains as military celebrates 81st founding anniversary
As the Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrates its 81st founding anniversary Wednesday, AFP chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Eduardo Año said the military has made solid gains in winning the peace and preserving strong alliances.

"In the area of internal security, to-date, 71 provinces are now Conflict-Manageable and Ready for Further Development, with six more provinces declared in 2016, namely: Agusan Del Norte, Surigao Del Sur, Agusan Del Sur, Compostela Valley, Quezon Province and Occidental Mindoro," he said.

The AFP chief also said the impact of Internal Peace Security Program "Bayanihan" was felt across the Philippines islands, as the whole-of-nation approach to the challenge of winning the peace has forged dynamic partnerships to enable far-flung and indigenous communities.

The latter aims to “provide the strategic guidance in the performance of (the AFP’s) mandated functions of protecting the state and the people. It shall help AFP units in planning for and contributing to the attainment of internal peace and security,” he said.

"Bayanihan" was first implemented on Dec. 22, 2010 and is scheduled to end this year.

"Momentum is our side and we are setting our sights on doing more in the days ahead. With the AFP's track record over the last eight decades, the current and future goals can only mean good things for our country and our people," Año said.

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