Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Gilbert Gapay has ordered soldiers to ensure the proper and “deliberate” implementation of the recently passed anti-terrorism law at all times following the crafting of the law’s implementing rules and regulation by the Department of Justice.
“We know how this law would greatly help us in building our confidence and poise in our operations. I am confident, and I know for a fact that every man and woman of the AFP is responsible, accountable, and objective enough to enforce this law,” Gapay told the troops on Tuesday.
The top military chief talked to the officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces Central Command in Cebu City as part of his continuing command visits.
After Centcom officials briefed him on their area’s security situation and ongoing operations, Gapay addressed the soldiers wherein he also congratulated them for managing the situation in the area, especially Cebu which was hardly hit by the COVID-19.
“While we continue to contribute and help in the national efforts to curb COVID-19, our main priority remains to be our triumph in eliminating communist terrorist group and local terrorist groups, which makes sense, for our enemies are also taking advantage of these trying times to pursue their propaganda. We cannot let that happen. We must not let that happen,” he said.
The Centcom has recorded a total of 533 surrenders of both regular members and supporters of the New People’s Army from January 1 to October 15, 2020. It also reported 28 enemy fatalities and 74 apprehensions in legitimate combat operations during the period.
At least 173 highpowered and lowpowered firearms, 75 improvised explosive devices and 42 encampments were also seized from the rebels.
“Let us work hard towards intensified operationalization of the Executive Order No. 70 for we already earned significant gains through this whole-of-nation approach. With the continuous involvement of the local government units, local communities, and other stakeholders, we can reach greater heights and yield more successes in this fight against insurgency,” Gapay said.
The military is one of the agencies that made up the National Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) which implements a “whole-of-government” approach in dealing with insurgency.