MANILA — In line with government efforts to defeat insurgency and lawlessness in the countryside, newly-appointed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Hernando DCA Iriberrihas ordered all unit commanders to make live difficult for all threat groups.
“Win the peace, secure the peace and make their areas of responsibility inhospitable to all the threat groups with utmost respect to human rights. That was my order to our commanders,” he added.
Iriberri also stressed that this order covers the New People’s Army, Abu Sayyaf Group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
During the change-of-command ceremonies Friday, the newly-appointed AFP chief stressed that winning the peace is one of his priorities.
Iriberri said that the gains made must be preserved and even expanded, adding that in the last seven years, 58 conflict-affected provinces have been declared either as insurgency-free or peaceful and ready for further development.
“From Siquijor in December 2008 to Negros Occidental just last June 2015, peace has been won with the cooperation, collaboration and combined strength of the AFP and our civilian partners and stakeholders,” he stated.
Iriberri hopes that before the end of 2015 and even beyond 2016, more provinces will join this number. (PNA)
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