AFP orders commanders to intensify efforts vs threat groups

July 25, 2019

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief General Benjamin Madrigal Jr. directed commanders at all levels to intensify efforts against threat groups in the country.

Col. Noel Detoyato, AFP public affairs chief, said Madrigal issued his directive during the second quarter command conference in Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday.

“As we intensify our efforts against the different threat groups and the support to the different agencies and units of our government, I am directing the commanders at all levels to take the extra mile,” Madrigal said.

“Our mission accomplishment is directly proportional to the capacity and capability of our personnel and units to execute their mission. At the end of the day, it is our leadership that matters,” he added.

Detoyato said the activity was attended by commanders of the AFP major services, unified commands, AFP-wide service support units, and other major ground units of the Army, Air Force and Navy.

"The meeting covered significant accomplishments in defeating communist and local terrorist groups," he said.

"It also assessed ongoing security campaigns targeted at ending all threat groups as well as the AFP’s peace building activities," he added.

Detoyato said Madrigal also reminded all officers, enlisted personnel, and civilian peofessionals of the AFP to lead by example, manage time efficiently and exercise good judgement and quick thinking.

“Together with our counterparts and other stakeholders, let us play an integral part of a whole so we can triumphantly attain our aspirations and emerge stronger as a nation," he said.

"At the end of the day, our collective efforts and commitment can make a whole lot of difference,” he added.

Detoyato said, according to Madrigal the military has achieved a lot in bringing the communist terrorist groups to its breaking point but there is still more work to do.

Based on their latest data, the AFP has neutralized 6,028 communist terrorists, including supporters from January 1 to July 24, 2019.

Detayato said 95 regular New People’s Army (NPA) members were killed in encounters, 145 were apprehended and 5,788 have surrendered through the help of local government units.

"A total of 945 high-powered and low-powered firearms were seized during the period while 260 NPA encampments were seized," he said.

The AFP has neutralized 198 local terrorists since the start of the year. Of this, 89 were members of the Abu Sayyaf Group who suffered 53 casualties, 24 surrenderees, and 12 captured.

Detoyato emphasized "the AFP is set to fast-track the unification and harmonization of all government efforts on peace and development."

Community support program which is the military's main strategy to dismantle communist terrorist group support structure and in drawing more surrenderees will also be strengthened, Detoyato said.

"Nevertheless, the AFP is intensifying its operational tempo, particularly in Mindanao to dismantle the Abu Sayyaf Group. Intelligence collection and active coordination with local government units will also be bolstered to achieve this target," he added. Robina Asido/DMS