by Gideon C. Corgue
PAGADIAN CITY , January 9 (PIA) – To promote the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan”, an anti-insurgency campaign of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and to show his solidarity with the troops in Mindanao, the newly assumed AFP Chief of Staff Lt.Gen. Jesse Dellosa on Saturday morning visited the 1st Infantry TABAK Division at Camp Major Cesar Sang-an, Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.
Disembarked in a military chopper, Dellosa was met by 1st Infantry Tabak commander Maj. Gen. Noel Coballes and welcomed in a full military arrival honors at the Tabak divison Grand stand .
The Chief of Staff then proceeded to Tabak headquarters for a command briefing at the conference room with Coballes, Assistant division commander, chief of staff, special staff and unit commanders, and immediately after he gave his “talk to the men” at the Officer’s Club House.
Dellosa said after he assumed his new post as the 43rd Chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, his first priority was to visit the troops in Mindanao. “Based on my timeline, I have to finish visiting the troops in Mindanao in one month,” Dellosa explained.
The chief of staff said he gave a great concern of visiting the area adding that Mindanao is the most troubled part of the country. “Our soldiers in Mindanao are always in the frontline especially those who are assigned in the cities of Basilan, Zamboanga and Davao
Dellosa lauded soldiers for actively taking part in the disaster response of victims of tropical storm “Sendong’ in Iligan city on December 17. “I praised the efforts of the Tabak Division thru MajGen Coballes and the Task Force “Makalintad” led by BGen Roland C. Amarille who helped the flood victims in Iligan.
Dellosa said AFP’s general headquarters helped facilitate the 126,000 strong force of the army in raising funds by collecting 1-day from their subsistence allowance which is an equivalent of P90. “The P11,340,000 total worth of financial assistance which we have collected was immediately donated to the flood victims,” Dellosa added.’
“Aside from the cash assistance, Dellosa said we have sent the Engineering units in the area where they have conducted rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
Dellosa also vowed to continue implementing the reform programs in the military especially the legislative and fiscal reforms, modernization reform , and etc. which was introduced by his predecessor, Gen. Oban, to address the never-ending issue of graft and corruption in the military.
Aside from reform programs, Dellosa said other thrusts he is now implementing are: to defend and protect the rights of our citrizens and safeguard human rights, and enhanced capability to perform disaster and rescue operation.
With the implementation of reform programs, the military, from top to bottom has now dramatically changed the governance in in the military, Dellosa reported.
Asked if the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) ‘Bayanihan’ campaign was successful, Dellosa said the campaign was doing well saying that stakeholders especially the chief executives of local government units (LGUs) have actively participated. “But if there are LCEs who failed to support, I have directed the ground commanders to make the necessary report and I will personally give copy of the report to DILG to give sanctions for not following the order.
The chief of staff has called on the Tabak troopers to be united.
“ This year 2012, we must be united. We must avoid divisiveness at the AFP. We have to work as one,” Dellosa urged.
After his three (3) hours visit in Tabak, the chief of staff proceeded to 35th IB in Salvador, Lanao del Norte, and 53rd IB in Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur with the same purpose.
Dellosa was accompanied by Major Gen. Francisco Cruz Jr, Brigadier Gen. Romeo Calizo, and Rear Admiral Miguel Jose Rodriguez from the general headquarters. (JPA/GCC/PIA9-Pagadian City)