NSFA, Panacan, Davao City - Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, Gen. Andres C. Centino praised the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) for continuing its high performance after scoring a series of accomplishments contributory to the AFP's campaign, particularly against the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) during his visit on April 22 at Headquarters EastMinCom, Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Panacan, Davao City.
The AFP Chief's visit was in line with his series of visitations to EastMinCom's ground units, particularly those deployed in far-flung areas to see their situation and identify their needs.
"I find satisfaction to approach our troops, especially in remote areas. Other than just going there, the important thing is we get to see what they need, so when we go back to the Headquarters, we will be able to make ready the valuable resources that we can extend to help them continue doing their jobs well," he said.
During the Command visit, Gen. Centino also awarded the campaign streamer awards for EastMinCom's ground units that successfully dismantled various CTG units in their respective areas of operations in 2022.
The awarded units were composed of the 403rd Brigade, 8th Infantry Battalion (IB), and 88IB for dismantling the Guerilla Front (GF) Malayag and GF89 of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee; 1002nd Brigade and 39IB for the GF Alip of Far South Mindanao Region; and 1003rd Brigade, and 56IB for the Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit (SRGU) of Sub-Regional Committee 5, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee.
"Attaining a strategic victory by being able to dismantle several guerilla fronts and leaving the bearest minimum of their forces is a victory for us. And that will be the report card that we will submit to the President," he expressed.
"Let us do our job well. We have already laid out the directives and instructions on what to do. My instruction, is that we continue the relentless pursuit of the remaining insurgents in our area without letup," Gen. Centino added.
The AFP Chief of Staff also commended LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, the Commander of EastMinCom, for his supervision that addressed the insurgency problems in his area.
"In the past, the EastMinCom area was known to have the most number of insurgents. Now, we receive reports every day that we have been able to address the insurgency problem through our relentless operations. And these would not be possible if we did not have the supervision and commandership of our leaders," he said.
It can be recalled that LtGen. Greg T. Almerol has directed all of his ground units to finish the CTG remnants in EastMinCom's area of operation during his official assumption as Commander on March 8, 2021.
It resulted in the dismantling of 10 Guerilla Fronts, a unit of Pulang Bagani Command, an SRGU, and an SRC under his leadership after a series of focused military operations and developmental efforts with the help of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and local government units.
Meanwhile, the AFP Chief of Staff also underscored the recent 2022 Pahayag First Quarter Survey by Publicus Asia, wherein AFP retained its top position as the most trusted and approved government agency, garnering a 67.4 percent approval and 53.4 percent trust ratings.
Gen. Centino said that the effort of EastMinCom in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette through the organization of the Joint Task Force Sambisig has contributed to the result of the survey.
"It's good that you were able to organize a Joint Task Force Sambisig to do the task, making sure that communication is restored and relief goods are provided to those in need," he recalled.
"Because of what we are doing and also what EastMinCom has done in the typhoon-hit areas, our countrymen noticed it and this translated into the results of the survey," he said, adding that the troops must continue providing good service in return for the highest trust given them by the Filipino people.
On the other hand, Gen. Centino also reminded the troops of their roles and responsibilities to ensure a safe, accurate, free and fair elections in May 2022.
"We have already done this in the past. Let us make sure that we have sufficient forces spread out in wide areas to secure the elections and even during the campaign sorties of the candidates. I have no doubt we can do our job," he stressed.
The AFP Chief of Staff was accorded with full military honors by the Command and welcomed by LtGen. Almerol during his first official visit to EastMinCom.###
Source: Public Information Office, Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP
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