Camp Lapulapu, Cebu City – The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, General Romeo S Brawner Jr. in his visit to the Headquarters of Visayas Command (VISCOM) commends the members of Team VISCOM and its component units for their stellar Internal Security Operations (ISO) in the Visayas region.
It was disclosed that VISCOM’s intensified ISO from January 01 of the current year to date led to a total of 90 government-initiated armed encounters in the entire Visayas region.
According to Lt. Col Israel G Galorio Chief, Public Information Office, VISCOM, AFP ; These encounters resulted in the neutralization of 204 NPA terrorists and the recovery of 168 firearms which significantly reduced the manpower and firepower capability of the CPP-NPA in the region.
Gen Brawner then urged the members of Team VISCOM to sustain their gains since there is still so much that needs to be done.
On the other hand, Lieutenant General Benedict M Arevalo PA, the Commander of VISCOM expressed his gratitude to the CSAFP for his visit, as he attributed their success to the community, the local government units, and their partner agencies,
“The whole-of-nation approach has a huge impact in our campaign. We could not have done this without the support of the local government units, our partner agencies in the local task force ELCAC, other stakeholders, and most especially our people. It is their strong will that motivates your Team VISCOM to strive for the attainment of a just and lasting peace in the Visayas region,” Ltgen Arevalo humbly said
It was further disclosed that VISCOM’s incessant Community Support Program (CSP) resulted in the clearing of 418 barangays from NPA infestation and the cooptation and reorientation of 113 former NPA-affiliated mass organization or sectoral front organizations.
“We will sustain our gains. There will be no let up in our operation to prevent the terrorist group from regaining their foothold in the region. This is our pledge to our people. Justice will be served. The CPP-NPA will be pushed to the brink of irreversible collapse. Peace and prosperity will be attained,” Lt Gen Arevalo added.
Lt Gen Arevalo concluded as he urged the remnants of the CPP-NPA to return to the folds of the law, “Our efforts will be sustained. We will remain highly motivated to end the local communist armed conflict in the Visayas region. As such, we urge the few remaining members of the terrorist group to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law while they still can.”
