The government's no non-sense communist insurgency drive is already gaining headway as the top area commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday declared four provinces in Mindanao as "communist insurgency-free".
Maj. Gen. Mario F. Chan, commanding general of the Army's Northeastern and Northern Mindanao Fourth Infantry (Diamond) Division, made this announcement Saturday during the 37th Founding Anniversary Celebration of the 30th Infantry Battallion (IB) headquarters at Barangay (village) Sta. Cruz, in Placer town, Surigao del Norte.
Gen. Chan, identified these alleged communist insurgency free provinces as Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Camiguin and Misamis Oriental.
The AFP area commander also bared that they will now be turning over the internal security operations' (ISO) responsibility to the local government units (LGUs) and local police to these communist insurgency-free provinces.
"This means that basic social services will now be undertaken by the LGU. However, we will not be pulling out our men, we will still be around and we will still help the LGU in completely eradicating insurgency in these areas," stressed Gen. Chan.
"Napakaganda ng performance ng 30th IB. The New People's Army (NPA) was so devastated when they suffered major losses last year," claimed Gen. Chan.
Chan acknowledged the effort of various LGUs for their continuing assistance to field units in helping one another in eradicating the communist problem.
During the 30th IB anniversary celebration, Chan spearheaded the distribution of plaques of recognition to LGU executives for their laudable support to the AFP's peace and development program. Along with 30th IB commander Lt. Col. Roberto Valencia, Gen. Chan also pinned medals to deserving military personnel and also pinned chevrons to the newly promoted enlisted personnel.
Top provincial, municipal and barangay officials led by Gov. Robert Ace Barbers and national government agencies led by Philippine Information Agency Director Abner M. Caga also graced the occasion.
Meanwhile, in that same 30th IB anniversary celebration, Gen Chan vowed not to involve his men in partisan politics this May 10, 2010 national and local elections.
"The AFP is, again reiterating, we will not side any politicians and we will be apolitical," stressed Gen. Chan.
He added that the soldiers will remain focus in their mandate of protecting the votes and ensure a peaceful and credible elections.
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