Another PMA class '77 member given AFP post

 MANILA, Philippines - Maj. Gen. Hilario Atendido, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1977, was named acting vice chief of staff in place of his classmate, Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa, who retired yesterday.

Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said Atendido will retain the post until President Aquino appoints a permanent vice chief of staff.

Atendido will act in a concurrent capacity as deputy chief for education and training, a post he assumed in April 2008, he added.

Ochoa was given the necessary military honors in Camp Aguinaldo yesterday, Mabanta said.

This is the second time Atendido was named acting vice chief of staff.

The first time was on June 22, when Ochoa, then the acting vice chief of staff, was appointed acting AFP chief.

Atendido served as assistant division commander of the 1st Infantry Division, company commander of the 17th Infantry Battalion, commander of the 45th Infantry Battalion, assistant chief of staff for operations of the 1st and 5th Infantry Divisions, and commander of the 502nd Infantry Brigade.

Other Class ’77 members holding key positions are acting Navy chief Rear Adm. Danilo Cortez, acting deputy chief of staff Rear Adm. Mario Catacutan, and Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer.

The second wave of military leadership changes may be announced anytime, according to Mabanta.

The Board of Generals, the body that determines military appointments, has submitted to Mr. Aquino the list of reassignments last week, he added.

NPA weakened

The military said yesterday “Oplan Bantay-Laya” was able to weaken the strength of the New People’s Army by 50 percent to 4,642 from 9,260 in 2002, the year it was launched.

The number of barangays affected by rebels has been reduced by 57 percent to 1,017 as of end-March from 2,395 in 2002.

Outgoing AFP-CRS commander Brig. Gen. Francisco Cruz, Jr. said Bantay Laya also paved the way for developmental activities that helped counter the NPA’s recruitment activities.

“There are instances that the only government agency that can be felt in those remote barangays is the Armed Forces,” he said. 

“We take the opportunity to help the government deliver basic services.

“The soldiers peacefully reach out to the people and even to the rebels. This, in turn, elicited voluntary surrenders and open support from the people.”

The military said the number of rebels who have surrendered has also increased.

Since the start of the Bantay Laya, a total of 5,417 rebels had surrendered their weapons and returned to mainstream society.

The military attributed this to the financial and livelihood assistance provided by the government’s Social Integration Program.

AFP-CRS said Bantay Laya also paved way for the creation of the National Development Support Command, which helps the government in its developmental initiatives.

The AFP said 1,663 projects, including the construction of school buildings and health centers, were completed in 800 villages.

The military said its counterinsurgency efforts have improved the business climate in various areas and contributed to the 7.3-percent economic growth in 2007.

“Oplan Bantay-Laya is heavily criticized by the (communist rebels) and by its fronts precisely because it has through the years effectively halted (their) growth,” Cruz said. 

Oplan Bantay Laya was launched in 2002 in a bid to end communist insurgency in the country.

The government claimed the program will bring development to the countryside but militant groups said it has resulted in human rights abuses and unexplained killings.