By Rene V. Carbayas
ISABELA CITY, Basilan – To
determine whether it is right on track with the campaign on Internal Peace and
Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan, the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) hosted
a command conference on June 10 to review its progress.
Commanders from the 1st and 6th
Infantry Divisions, 3rd Air Division of the Philippine Air Force,
Naval Forces Western Mindanao Command, PNP counterparts and other senior staff attended
the conference to evaluate its Internal Peace and Security Operation efforts in
Western Mindanao for the first semester of 2013.
Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo, WesMinCom chief described the 1st
Semester of 2013 as a very challenging period.
“Aside from having to accomplish the mandate
on internal security, the Sabah crisis also gave the opportunity to employ AFP
resources and assets of large magnitude and helped resolve and diffuse the
tension which could have transformed into large-scale violence, thus preventing
negative international repercussions,” Ardo said.
He added that the Command was able to
successfully harness the support of all
stakeholders toward the realization of a secure, orderly and credible
Elections 2013, saying that “the recently concluded national and local
elections was a huge success when compared to past elections.”
Ardo also noted that after the signing of the
Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB), the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF), from a potent national security threat is now treated as a ‘special security
concern’.
“Since its signing, a significant and more
improved security condition in the entire area of responsibility can be
noticed. This however can be attributed to several factors such as the continued
adherence and respect to the primacy of the peace process; ability to
contribute and undertake confidence-building measures; and being able to put up
a credible deterrence,” Ardo explained.
He said that overall, the Command made
significant headway in its campaign both in addressing the local security
threats, including allied threats and other maritime security concerns.
Professor Mirriam Coronel Ferrer, Chairperson
of GHP-MILF Peace Process, and Prof Howard Cafugauan, ASEC for OPAPP programs, were also present
and gave updates on the GPH-MILF peace process and Sajahatra Bangsamoro programs.
GPH-CCCH Chair BGen Cesar Dionisio T Sedillo also provided valuable and
essential inputs.
Col. Rodrigo T. Gregorio, WesMinCom Public Information
Officer said that the conference also determined the contributory factors which
affect the success, delay or failure, and identify the gaps and challenges.
The conference ended with a rejoinder from
Gen. Ardo to the subordinate commanders and other participants/stakeholders to
pursue with even greater zeal and enthusiasm collective efforts in accomplishing their mission. (ALT/RVC/WESMINCOM/PIA9-ZBST)