ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN: Above, new Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon (left), Defense Secy. Avelino Cruz and new Army chief Gen. Romeo Tolentino walk Saturday 22 July 2006 as elite soldier march during a parade inside the Camp Andres Bonifacio in Manila. (Zamboanga Journal)MANILA (Zamboanga Journal / 22 Jul) Northern Philippines military commander Gen. Romeo Tolentino formally assumed Saturday as the new Army chief and vowed to crush communist insurgency and terror threats posed by the Abu Sayyaf in the restive southern island of Mindanao.
Tolentino replaced Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, who was named as new Armed Forces chief by President Gloria Arroyo Friday.
“It’s all work for now and our priority is to crush communist insurgency and terrorism and other threats to the country’s security,” he said.
Tolentino, a veteran of the Mindanao insurgency campaign, said he would also stepped up army’s humanitarian and literacy programs to win the hearts and mind of civilians in areas where the New People’s Army insurgents are strong.
“This is not all about war or fighting, but also winning the hearts and minds of the people, especially in areas where the NPA is actively operating. And we will win battle because the people are behind us,” he said.
President Gloria Arroyo ordered Esperon to crush the NPA and has even set aside one billion pesos to help fight the NPA.
“My first order to the troops is to intensify the operation against the NPA and we will destroy them. There is no room to hide, but for the insurgents to lay down their arms and surrender peacefully,” Esperon said.
But police and military reports on Saturday said more than 200 NPA soldiers simultaneously attacked the town of Matnog in Sorsogon province, blew up a bridge and clashed with security forces that left at least 6 people dead.
Reports said at least 5 NPA gunmen and a member of the Coast Guard were killed in the fighting before sunrise.
It said the insurgents came in two buses and a jeep and raided the town’s police headquarters.
Peace talks between the two groups collapsed in 2004 after the Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front pulled out from the negotiations because of its inclusion to the terror lists of the United States and the European Union on Manila's prodding.
The rebels demanded that Arroyo asks the United States and the European Union to strike them off from the terror lists before they resume peace talks. Manila rejected the demand and suspended safety and immunity guarantee for rebel peace negotiators following the collapse of the talks.
The NPA is the armed wing of the CPP and the NDF.
Tolentino replaced Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, who was named as new Armed Forces chief by President Gloria Arroyo Friday.
“It’s all work for now and our priority is to crush communist insurgency and terrorism and other threats to the country’s security,” he said.
Tolentino, a veteran of the Mindanao insurgency campaign, said he would also stepped up army’s humanitarian and literacy programs to win the hearts and mind of civilians in areas where the New People’s Army insurgents are strong.
“This is not all about war or fighting, but also winning the hearts and minds of the people, especially in areas where the NPA is actively operating. And we will win battle because the people are behind us,” he said.
President Gloria Arroyo ordered Esperon to crush the NPA and has even set aside one billion pesos to help fight the NPA.
“My first order to the troops is to intensify the operation against the NPA and we will destroy them. There is no room to hide, but for the insurgents to lay down their arms and surrender peacefully,” Esperon said.
But police and military reports on Saturday said more than 200 NPA soldiers simultaneously attacked the town of Matnog in Sorsogon province, blew up a bridge and clashed with security forces that left at least 6 people dead.
Reports said at least 5 NPA gunmen and a member of the Coast Guard were killed in the fighting before sunrise.
It said the insurgents came in two buses and a jeep and raided the town’s police headquarters.
Peace talks between the two groups collapsed in 2004 after the Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front pulled out from the negotiations because of its inclusion to the terror lists of the United States and the European Union on Manila's prodding.
The rebels demanded that Arroyo asks the United States and the European Union to strike them off from the terror lists before they resume peace talks. Manila rejected the demand and suspended safety and immunity guarantee for rebel peace negotiators following the collapse of the talks.
The NPA is the armed wing of the CPP and the NDF.
2 comments:
Lately, NPA attacks at night. Maybe, AFP should invest on night vision guggles, or so. AFP weapons look a little primitive. And, NPA always attack with at least 50 rebels in the past. How come there is less than 50 maximum police in a headquarters.
This is the right stance against NPA. Any policy, law, or agreement will not work. First, it is for the very reason that criminals break the law, policy, or agreement of any norms of society. It is the very nature of criminals. When you are blinded from money that comes from illegal acts, it is very hard to come back.
Second, it is human nature to always want something that you do not have. It is a never ending battle. Since it is human nature, any humans has to act accordingly. If you give them a 1 billion, they want 2 billion, 3 billion, 10 billion, 100 billion, or so on. That is a never ending battle. They want a better quality of life. They have to work hard like any normal human being, and Filipinos. Many Self-Made Millionaire Filipinos achieve riches and wealth thru hard work and risk. Life is never fair, and easy. Life is meant to be painful. You get what you give.
Third, it is only impossible to eliminate NPA if you think inside the box. Technology has gone a long way. There are more productive and efficient of doing things. This goal can be achieve thru modernization of the AFP. It depends on who you ask. If you ask a loser or unsuccessful person, they usually tell negative things. They could say like "are you nuts?", "impossible", "how you do that", "you can't do that", or so. If you ask a winner or successful, they are usually say positive things. They give advises. They could say something like "yeah, you can do that", "For sure", "anything is possible", or so. Because they know from experience, you can achieve anything thru passion and drive. Try asking a poor person how to be a millionaire. They will tell you negative things. Now, try to ask a millionaire how to be a millionaire. And, the views have gone the complete opposite. Successful person are more positive and upbeat.
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