US commits air, naval forces in ongoing relief ops for typhoon 'Yolanda' victims

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 10): US commits air, naval forces in ongoing relief ops for typhoon 'Yolanda' victims

Air and naval forces of the United States were committed to help in the ongoing relief and rescue operations for the victims of super typhoon "Yolanda".

This was announced by the Philippine Embassy in Washington on its Twitter account.

"Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel instructs US Pacific Command to support humanitarian relief operations in the Philippines," it said.

"US committing air and naval assets to assist in maritime search and rescue and provide additional lift capability for Philippine Government," it added.

On Saturday, the US Embassy in Manila said US soldiers are helping the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in conducting damage assessment in Eastern Visayas.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=585066

2 Abus wounded in clash with troops

From the Philippine Star (Nov 10): 2 Abus wounded in clash with troops

Government troops thwarted an attempt by the Abu Sayyaf militants to occupy a village in Basilan following an encounter that left two bandits wounded, the military said yesterday.

Close to 20 Abu Sayyaf militants swooped down in Barangay Matata in Ungkaya Pukan town and attacked the villagers at about 8:30 a.m., according to Lt. Col. Jose Paolo Perez, head of the 18th Infantry Battalion.

The military exchanged fires with the bandits led by Mamul Mande, an assistant of Abu Sayyaf leader Malista Sapaa.

Perez said the ground troops confirmed that two militants were wounded in the firefight. He said the Abus launched the attack after their candidate in the recent barangay election lost in the polls.    

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/11/10/1254877/2-abus-wounded-clash-troops

Military, police chiefs ordered to search for missing activist

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 9): Military, police chiefs ordered to search for missing activist

The Supreme Court has ordered the heads of the Armed Forces of the Philippine and the Philippine National Police to “directly and personally” oversee efforts to locate Cordillera activist James Balao, who has been missing since September 2008.

In a resolution dated October 22 but released only on Friday, the court directed PNP Director General Alan Purisima and AFP chief General Emmanuel Bautista to monitor the efforts of the Special Investigation Task Force Group Balao “until its conclusion.”

The Court also ordered the National Bureau of Investigation and the Commission on Human Rights to conduct independent probes into the disappearance of Balao “as well as to take further action as may be appropriate.”

The court also ordered “all concerned officers and authorities to make available all documents they have on Balao and make accessible all the officers who had anything to do with the abduction or had knowledge of the abduction, as well as to grant access to camps and safe houses that could give leads to the whereabouts of Balao.”

The Supreme Court directives were the same recommendations made by Branch 63 of the the Regional Trial Court in La Trinidad, Benguet, which originally issued a “writ of amparo” or writ of protection in favor of Balao.

Balao, founding member of the Cordillera People’s Alliance and an advocate for indigenous people’s rights, was abducted by armed men believed to be state security agents in La Trinidad on Sept. 17, 2008. He would have turned 52 on April 19 this year.

His family filed a petition for a writ of amparo with the Benguet court in October 2008. Then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, several members of her Cabinet, the former heads of the AFP and PNP, and other incumbent military and police officials were named respondents.

In December 2011, however, Supreme Court reversed the RTC’s grant of the writ and instead ordered the PNP and AFP to continue investigating the case and gather more substantial evidence. The PNP later established the Balao task force to resume the probe.

The RTC, on the other hand, was ordered to monitor compliance with the high court’s directive and to submit a report.

Last April, RTC Judge Jennifer Humiding issued her report. She rebuked the task force, saying its investigative efforts fell “way below acceptable standards given today’s available technological and sophisticated measures.” She also lamented the lack of continuity in the probe, citing the succession of police officials that headed the task force.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/524089/military-police-chiefs-ordered-to-search-for-missing-activist

Hackers expose Asia’s weak cyber defenses

From the Manila Standard Today (Nov 9): Hackers expose Asia’s weak cyber defenses

A rash of website hackings in the Asia-Pacific has exposed weak cyber defences which must be improved to help the region deal with more sophisticated and sinister threats, particularly from criminal organisations, analysts said.

Hackers claiming to be from the global activist group Anonymous compromised several government and commercial websites in Australia, the Philippines and Singapore recently, and vowed to mount wider attacks.

In the latest incident, Anonymous hackers on Thursday hijacked a section of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s official website, just a day after he vowed to “spare no effort” to hunt down anyone who attacks the regional financial centre’s technological network.

Cloud computing, the proliferation of mobile devices and the increasing use of social media have allowed an escalating volume of data to flow through multiple channels, giving hackers a wider field to ply their trade, analysts said.

They warned that Anonymous, which carries out attacks to highlight issues such as Internet freedom and corruption, is just one of the groups involved, and others with a more sinister agenda could inflict serious damage.

“The more sophisticated group that government and business should fear are the cyber-criminal organisations who have much greater resources at their disposal,” said Tan Shong Ye, information technology risk and cyber security leader at global business consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

Their targets could be valuable intellectual property and critical infrastructure, including military and state secrets, Tan told AFP.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/11/09/hackers-expose-asias-weak-cyber-defenses/

US Navy christens costly new aircraft carrier USS Ford

From InterAksyon (Nov 10): US Navy christens costly new aircraft carrier USS Ford

The American navy on Saturday christened a new aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald Ford, a colossal ship plagued by equally huge cost overruns, at a time of growing budget pressures.

The daughter of the former US president, Susan Ford Bales, broke the traditional champagne bottle at a ceremony in the port of Newport News, Virginia, near the sprawling Norfolk naval base.

"May God bless and watch over the USS Gerald R. Ford, those who built her and the men and women who will sail her into harm's way," a teary Bales said moments before shattering the bottle against the hulking ship on a sparkling autumn morning.

A parade of dignitaries, friends and relatives of the late president spoke at the christening, which was also a celebration of the life of Ford, the 38th US president.

"He was a man of courage and solid values, and I know the men and women who sail this ship will bring those same qualities in their service to our nation," former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told the audience.

Other speakers included Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin.

The pomp belied problems with the project, however, which is only 70 percent complete, with delivery postponed until February 2016.

And faced with automatic budget cuts and the need to fund other programs, including submarines, the Navy's chief of staff, Admiral Jonathan Greenert has warned the service may have to delay completing the Ford "by two years."

The move would force the United States to rely on a fleet of 10 existing carriers and means "lowering surge capacity" in a crisis, he added.

US law requires the military to maintain 11 aircraft carriers, but at the moment only 10 are available since the retirement of the USS Enterprise in 2012.

The current carrier fleet, launched between 1975 to 2009, are Nimitz-class ships, but the Ford, or CVN 78, represents a new class of carrier with a new design, which will be followed by the John F. Kennedy and new Enterprise carriers. All have a similar length of about 1,090 feet (330 meters).

The Ford-class design is supposed to allow for 25 percent more sorties for the fighter jets and helicopters on board, generate more electrical power and produce more fresh water from desalination systems, allowing sailors to take comfortable showers.

Cost jumped 22 percent

"The Ford class is designed to provide increased war-fighting capability with approximately 700 fewer crew members," reducing the cost of maintaining the ship, the Navy said in a statement.

While fewer sailors will be needed to run the carrier, the cost of building the ship has sky-rocketed. Since the start of the contract in 2008, construction costs jumped 22 percent over the scheduled budget to $12.8 billion in total.

And the Navy's estimate "does not include $4.7 billion in research and development costs," according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which provides financial data to lawmakers.

Navy officers say such cost overruns are typical for a new series of ship, and that the price of subsequent vessels in the class tends to drop.

But at a time of budget austerity, the mushrooming price tag is a source of irritation.
The navy and the defense contractor "must still overcome significant technology development, design and construction challenges," the Government Accountability Office, an investigative arm of Congress, wrote in September.

The GAO questioned the decision to go ahead with new technological systems for the ship before proving they worked, an approach that "introduces risk of late and costly design changes and rework."

A new electromagnetic catapult to launch aircraft, new radar and new arresting gear to catch planes landing are also facing technical delays and higher costs.

"But even after the ship's commission, several key ship systems will continue to face significant reliability shortfalls that will likely increase costs to the government and limit the ship's mission effectiveness," the GAO said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/74477/us-navy-christens-costly-new-aircraft-carrier-uss-ford

Misuari now in Middle East

From the Philippine Star (Nov 9): Misuari now in Middle East



Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari has reunited with his family in a Middle East country and is now preparing to attend the 40th session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) next month in Conakry, Republic of Guinea in Western Africa.

A source told The STAR yesterday that as a permanent observer in the OIC, Misuari is expected to report to the 57 members of Islamic countries on the recent outbreak of hostilities in Zamboanga City and the status of the tripartite review of the 1996 peace agreement with the government.

It was not revealed which country in the Middle East Misuari and his family are now staying in.

Misuari reportedly used an ancient maritime route to get out of Mindanao and landed on Bolongan coast in Southern Sulawesi, Indonesia before the regional trial court of Zamboanga City could issue an arrest warrant for him.

The usual backdoor sea route was from Sulu to Sandakan or Lahad Datu in Sabah, Malaysia, but Misuari’s group reportedly used the Bolongan route to avoid the Malaysian navy.

MNLF spokesman Emmanuel Fontanilla neither confirmed nor denied the report that Misuari would attend the OIC meeting, but said the organization had already invited him to the three-day session of the Council of Foreign Ministers from Dec. 9 to 11.

Fontanilla said Misuari, being an OIC observer, is obliged to attend the yearly meeting.
He, however, said before the event, a preliminary meeting of senior ministers would be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to draft the agenda of the Conakry session.

He said if Misuari could not attend the meeting, he would send a representative to read his message during the OIC plenary session.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/11/09/1254629/misuari-now-middle-east

CPP: Ang Bayan Video Report: Renounce the Lord of Thieves

Posted to the CPP Website (Nov 7): Ang Bayan Video Report: Renounce the Lord of Thieves



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDlWjT2UWxo

The intransigence and Aquino's defense of the pork barrel system, especially his own billions of funds under the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), gravely stoke the people's outrage against the Aquino regime's corruption and the rotten ruling system.

Because of this, his anti-corruption rhetorics are rapidly unleashed which he used to cover-up the rottenness of his regime and the system he tried administering. Despite of this, he has been trying to instill the illusion of "righteous path" to the minds of the people though it is long been riddled with cracks.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/

CPP calls for mass mobilization, international support for relief operations

From the CPP Website (Nov 9): CPP calls for mass mobilization, international support for relief operations

Communist Party of the Philippines

 

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today extended its sympathies to the millions of people affected by supertyphoon Yolanda which ravaged provinces in Eastern and Central Visayas, in Panay, Negros, Masbate, Mindoro, Palawan and other islands, as well as in areas in Eastern and South Eastern Mindanao, Northern Mindanao and provinces in Southern Luzon.

At the same time, the CPP called for mass mobilization across the country and abroad to generate emergency supply and funds for rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts. The CPP called on “people in the areas least affected by the storm to extend maximum possible help to the people who are most in need of emergency assistance.”

Yesterday, tropical storm Yolanda (international name Haiyan) barreled across the Philippines, leaving a wide swath of destruction. Yolanda is considered to be among the strongest typhoons ever to hit land, and one of the most powerful of storms over the past 30 years.

The CPP said that among the areas which were devastated by the strong winds are revolutionary base areas which are within the scope of authority of the provisional revolutionary government and in the areas of operation of the New People’s Army and other revolutionary mass organizations.

The CPP also pointed out that many of the areas ravaged by the typhoon were those recently hit by powerful earthquakes where people were most vulnerable to the strong winds and rains.

“These areas are among the most impoverished in the entire country, where the majority are poor peasants, unemployed farm workers, small fisherfolk and indigenous peoples,” said the CPP. “They have long been abandoned by the reactionary government and will not be among its priorities for assistance.”

The CPP said it is still awaiting detailed reports from its local committees, as well as mass organizations and NPA units in the areas.

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/statements/20131109_cpp-calls-for-mass-mobilization-international-support-for-relief-operations

Abu Sayyaf bandits harass Basilan villagers

From the Philippine Star (Nov 9): Abu Sayyaf bandits harass Basilan villagers

Government troops thwarted the Abu Sayyaf Group from occupying a remote village in Basilan following an encounter on Saturday morning.

Lt. Col. Jose Paolo Perez, commander of the Army's 18th Infantry Battalion, said close to 20 Abu Sayyaf militants swooped down on Barangay Matata in Ungkaya Pukan town and attack the villagers at around 8 a.m.

Alerted troops clashed with the the bandits led by Abu Sayyaf sub-commander Mamul Mande, sparking a running gunbattle that left an undetermined number of militants injured.

Perez, however, said ground troops have so far confirmed two militants wounded from the encounter.

Perez said that the bandits attacked the village in retaliation to the loss of their barangay election candidate to a military volunteer.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/11/09/1254830/abu-sayyaf-bandits-harass-basilan-villagers

Radio contact center set up in Tacloban

From Rappler (Nov 9): Radio contact center set up in Tacloban



HUMANITARIAN AID: Two military C-130 cargo planes fly to Tacloban City on Saturday. File photo

An incident command post and radio contact center was set up in storm-battered Tacloban City, more than 24 hours since the city went incommunicado following storm surges that flooded its streets.

The Army set up the command post at the city police station. Military radios served as the government's contact to Leyte when Typhoon Yolanda's strong winds cut communication lines on Friday morning, November 8. (READ: Yolanda weakens)

 

The command post is led by Brigadier General Jet Velarmino, commanding general of the Army's 8th infantry division that is based in Catbalogan, Western Samar.

 

Communication has proven to be a huge challenge for disaster management officials. Even Interior and Local Government Secretary and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin — who arrived in Leyte province Thursday, November 7 to oversee government response to Typhoon Yolanda — could not be reached until Friday night. (READ: Communications down, Mar cannot be reached)

 

The two Cabinet officials are now in the command post in Tacloban, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

 

Two Philippine Air Force (PAF) C-130 cargo planes flew to Tacloban City Saturday morning to bring in power generators, AFP communication equipment, water purifiers, and other relief goods to aid typhoon victims. (READ: UN, gov't send communications teams to Tacloban)

 

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director Undersecretary Eduardo Del Rosario, Secretary of Social Welfare and Development Corazon "Dinky" Soliman, and PAF Commanding General Lieutenant Genearl Lauro Catalino Dela Cruz were among the passengers of the cargo planes.

 

http://www.rappler.com/nation/43282-command-post-tacloban

AFP needs 100 body bags for 'scores' of typhoon victims in Tacloban City

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 9): AFP needs 100 body bags for 'scores' of typhoon victims in Tacloban City

AFP Central Command Spokesman Lt. Jim Aris Alagao confirmed early this afternoon (Saturday) that a number of dead bodies have been found on the roadsides in Tacloban City.

In a text message to Philippine News Agency (PNA), Alagao was unable to give an exact figure for the cadavers but urged the government to bring more body bags.

"Reports from our units in Tacloban, there are numbers of undetermined casualties found along the roads. As to estimate, the report says "madaming madami". We have to send the requested 100 body bags in the area," Alagao said in a text message.

For its part, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Saturday revealed that the number of people affected by the super typhoon Yolanda has been estimated at 4,093,104 people in 36 provinces, 201 municipalities in Regions IV-A, IV-B, V, VI, VII, VII, X, XI and CARAGA.

Of the total affected individuals 315,136 persons were evacuated, 309,397,000 were at the evacuation centers and 5,769 sought shelter with their relatives.

NDRRMC initially listed four deaths, seven injured and four missing.

Meanwhile, Police Director Lina Sarmiento, PNP Director for Police Community Relations, said that the PNP will send 150-man police contingent led by Police Director Carmelo Valmoria, Director of the PNP Special Action Force (SAF) and concurrent Task Group Commander of the PNP Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Task Group to Tacloban City today to assist in search, rescue and rehabilitation operations in typhoon-devastated province of Leyte.

The 150-man contingent is composed of SAF Search and Rescue troops; Crime Laboratory examiners, who will assist local PNP Units in management and processing of casualties; and PNP Communication and Electronics Service (CES) technicians, who will help restore communication lines with PNP units in Eastern Visayas.

The PNP contingent will be airlifted this afternoon from Manila by a Philippine Air Force C-130 transport aircraft.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=584887

AFP deploys communication equipment to 'Yolanda' battered provinces

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 9): AFP deploys communication equipment to 'Yolanda' battered provinces

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) deployed communications systems in three cities in the Visayas Saturday to address shortages in communication facilities following the devastation caused by Supertyphoon "Yolanda."

A communication cell was earlier established in Tacloban City Police Station and the Base Ops, Villamor Air Base to augment communication requirements for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response operations.

Two more in Roxas City, Capiz and Mactan City, Cebu are on their way to monitor rescue and relief efforts.

Aerial recon and damage assessment are also on-going over Cebu province, Panay Island, and Tacloban City.

Earlier, two C-130 aircraft transported a crisis action team, a medical team, and power generators to Bohol along with 12,000 pounds of assorted relief goods.

The AFP will continue to assist the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in command post operations particularly in restoring command and control and through logistics and communications assistance.

AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista ordered the Central Command and Southern Luzon Command to prioritize disaster response efforts and make available all of its air and naval assets for immediate assessment of damage; rescue, and transport operations.

He also ordered other Area Commanders and their DRTUs to support Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) efforts when requested. Helicopters are already deployed for relief transport, rescue, and damage assessment operations.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=584941

2 C-130s now conducting relief missions for 'Yolanda' victims in the Visayas

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 9): 2 C-130s now conducting relief missions for 'Yolanda' victims in the Visayas

Two Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) are now conducting relief missions for the people of the Visayas who suffered from the brunt of super typhoon "Yolanda" Friday.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Saturday the aircraft are transporting communications equipment, water purifiers, and other relief goods.

The first flight at 7:30 a.m. Saturday bound for Tacloban City airport carried a power generator and AFP communications equipment to help government agencies operate amid the loss of electricity and communication facilities in the area.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Executive Director and Undersecretary Eduardo Del Rosario, Secretary of Social Welfare and Development Corazon J. Soliman, and PAF chief Lt. Gen. Lauro Catalino G. Dela Cruz were also scheduled to board the same aircraft, along with medical teams from the AFP and 12,000 pounds of various relief goods.

A second C-130 aircraft left shortly after carrying more relief goods and an AFP communications van.

Earlier, AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista cancelled his scheduled flight to Zamboanga City to give way to the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response efforts in the Visayas.

Bautista was supposed to attend the turnover ceremony of the Western Mindanao Command for retiring Lt. Gen. Rey C. Ardo and the awarding of AFP troops who participated in the successful defense of Zamboanga City last September.

An Incident Command Post and Radio Contact Center was established at the Tacloban City Police Station headed by Brig. Gen. Jet B. Velarmino, commander of the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.

Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin and Secretary of Interior and Local Government Manuel A. Roxas II are also on site.

Meanwhile, clearing operations at the Tacloban Airport and other major roads are ongoing.

On Friday, Bautista ordered the Central Command and Southern Luzon Command to prioritize disaster response efforts and make available all of their air and naval assets for immediate assessment of damage, rescue, and transport operations.

He also ordered other Area Commanders and their DRTUs to support Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) efforts when requested. Helicopters are also on standby for relief transport, rescue, and damage assessment operations.

AFP units are also supporting ongoing evacuations led by the Office of Civil Defense and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils in Visayas and Southern Luzon.

The AFP Central Command also tapped its units, including the 3rd Infantry Division, 8th Infantry Division, Joint Task Force 7, 2nd Air Division, Naval Forces Central, and the 53rd Engineering Brigade to support HADR operations in their respective areas of responsibility.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=584938

Army Reserve Command activated to augment DRO efforts for Yolanda-battered provinces

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 9): Army Reserve Command activated to augment DRO efforts for Yolanda-battered provinces
 
The Army Reserve Command has been mobilized to augment in the disaster and rescue operations (DRO) efforts of the Philippine Army in provinces severely affected by super typhoon "Yolanda" Friday.

In the CARAGA area, ROTC cadets and Army reservists were organized to take action as the typhoon approached the region.

As early as Thursday, a group of Training Staff from Surigao State College of Technology (SSCT) ROTC Unit, together with 10 Advance Cadet Officers and 20 enlisted reservists of Charlie Company, 1st Surigao Del Norte, Ready Reserve Battalion (RRBN) led by M/Sgt. Gracelino A. Cabitana, helped in evacuating 540 residents from the coastal barangay of San Juan, Surigao City to the SSCT main campus in Narciso St., Surigao City.

Members of Bravo Company, 1st SDN-RRBN, along with the personnel of the Provincial Police Office of Dinagat Islands, participated in the repacking of 5,000 assorted canned goods which were originally intended for the victims of the Bohol earthquake, and further conducted additional repacking of 500 assorted relief goods at Barangay Aurelio Gym in San Jose, Dinagat Islands, which will be distributed to the victims of the super typhoon.

At dawn Friday, four enlisted reservists led by PFC Marvin C. Manlimos of 1st SDN-RRBN rendered assistance to a public utility bus travelling from Butuan City that accidentally hit a cargo truck at Barangay Libas, Taganaan, Surigao del Norte.

There were seven people on board, including the lady bus conductor who was injured. She was thereafter brought to the provincial hospital.

On the other hand, in Region 7, three teams from Headquarters Company and Bravo Company of 1st (Bohol) RRBN were deployed in the area to clear the major road nets of Tagbilaran City from fallen trees and other debris.

A nine-man team of scuba divers from said unit were also placed on standby alert status in the area of Jagna, Bohol during the devastating strike of super typhoon Yolanda.

In Region 5, one M-35 truck with combined personnel from 565 Engineering Construction Battalion and 502nd Camarines Sur Community Defense Center evacuated the residents of Camaligan, Camarines Sur who are living near the river, and transported them to the designated evacuation centers.

Meanwhile, members of the 1st Masbate RRBn assisted 61 families to the evacuation centers in Aroroy, Masbate; while 35 families composed of 134 individuals residing at Barangay Ibingay, Masbate City, were evacuated by force to the nearby Elementary School due to flash floods.

As in the past calamities that struck the country, Army reservists continue to be effective partners of the maneuvering units of the PA in the performance of their mandated missions to serve the people and secure the land.

In times like this were a large number of individuals are needed to be deployed for disaster relief and rescue operations, the Army Reserve Command remains steadfast and focused in delivering their utmost commitment to provide quality mobilizeable citizen armed force as a component of the total Army in pursuit of the constitutionally mandated goals and objectives.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=585010

AFP installs Philippine Marine general as new Westmincom commander

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 9): AFP installs Philippine Marine general as new Westmincom commander

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has installed Saturday a Philippine Marine general to head Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), the headquarters of which is based in this city.

Installed as the new Westmincom commander is Marine Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, replacing Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo, who bowed out of military service.

The turnover of command ceremony was presided by Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) command chief Rear Admiral Isabelo Gador, who represented Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista.

In an interview, Guerrero said that his priorities will include the review of the campaign plans set up by higher headquarters to asses where the command stands and enhance security setup, which is aimed to improve contingency planning to be ready for any contingencies in the future.

Guerrero said his command’s support to peace process will be a priority.

Guerrero stressed his designation as Wesmincom chief will not mean the area of its jurisdiction will be filled up by Philippine Marine troops since he is a marine officer.

“I’m coming here as a joint commander. I’m from the Marines, but basically this is a joint headquarters. It is a combination of the Air Force, Navy, and the Army. We will bank on the reliability of the three branches of services.” Guerrero said.

He admitted that commanding the Wesmincom is a big challenge for him citing “almost all threat groups are here.”

“This is the most challenging unified area command in the entire armed forces to handle,” he added.

He urged for the cooperation of all the stakeholders, including the media, so they will be able to accomplish the command’s tasks.

Guerrero is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1981.

Guerrero is the commander of the AFP’s Western Command based in Palawan prior to his installation as the new Westmincom commander.

He has also commanded the Joint Task Force Comet based in Sulu and well as served as the Philippine Marine commandant.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=584954