New Eastmincom chief to strengthen community support program

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 16): New Eastmincom chief to strengthen community support program

Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) chief, Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, has vowed to strengthen the conduct of community support program (CSP) in the operational area of each military unit to stop the recruitment activities of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Madrigal replaced Brig. Gen. Perfecto Rimando Jr., who was the acting commander of the EastMinCom following the appointment of Gen Rey Leonardo Guerrero as the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Interviewed at the sidelines of the turnover ceremony on Wednesday at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Camp Panacan, Madrigal said all units under the Eastmincom would continue its relentless efforts to reach out to the communities, especially the Indigenous People (IP), who are vulnerable to NPA recruitment.

The newly-appointed EastMinCom chief said he already talked with the unit commanders and directed them to be vigilant.

He also emphasized the support of the people in the communities for security is not only the responsibility of the soldiers but also the stakeholders.

“Isa sa mga hakbang natin ay patuloy yung ating community support programs kasi andapat mawala yung source nang bagong miyembro. Kelangan maliwanagan ang komunidad para hindi sumali sa movement kasi kahit anong gawin natin sa combat operations hindi to matitigil (One of our steps is to continue the community support programs because we need to stop the source of new members. The communities should be enlightened so they would not join the movement because whatever we do in combat operations (if new members get recruited, it would not stop),” he said.

He added the Army would focus its military operations to address troublemakers so that sources and victims of the extortion and NPA atrocities would stop.

Madrigal is also set to visit the brigade and battalion units to further assess the strength of the NPA in the area.

Meanwhile, present during the turnover ceremony were the 10th Infantry and 4th Infantry division commanders, brigade and battalion commanders, other security forces and stakeholders.

In his speech, Guerrero expressed his gratitude to the command and the local government officials, and stakeholders for the support they had given during his stint as Eastmincom chief.

“Madrigal is not a stranger in the command,” Guerrero said. ”He returns and bring(s) his knowledge in the area, “he added.

Madrigal was happy to return to Davao Region where he became the 701st Infantry Brigade under the 10TH Infantry Division.

“I feel a challenge and confidence to work with you, engage the stakeholders and improve the good relationship that we have established with interagency partners and the locals,” he said.

This time, he said, he would like to embrace the peace and development with political leaders as with them “we can achieve peace, security, development and prosperity”.

Madrigal is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Sandiwa” Class of 1985, Madrigal is currently the Commander of the Southern Luzon Command (Solcom).

Prior to his appointment as SOLCOM Commander, Madrigal held key positions in the Philippine Army as commander of the 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan De Oro; assistant commander and later acting commander of the 10th Infantry Division in Compostela Valley before becoming the Chief of Staff of the Philippine Army.

He also held major positions in the AFP General Headquarters as Chief of War Plans Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, OJ5; Secretary Joint Staff, AFP; and Head Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/1016053