Ibrado: Bring Army closer to the people

DAVAO CITY, Philippines  – Army chief Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado urged government troops to be closer to the people they serve.

“I am certain that he will carry the torch toward the vigorous pursuit of our campaigns against terrorism, insurgency and other threats to national security, and likewise bring our Army closer to the people we serve,” Ibrado said.

He was referring to Maj. Gen. Raymundo Mapagu, who took over on Tuesday as the new commander of the 10th Infantry Division, replacing Maj. Gen. Leo Jogy Fojas.

Ibrado emphasized that 10th ID covers areas considered to be strongholds of communist guerrillas in the south, including the Davao provinces, Compostela Valley, South Cotabato, Sarangani, eastern parts of North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

Ibrado cited the need for more cohesive, coordinated and synchronized efforts on the part of the Army in addressing the insurgency problem.

Mapagu, for his part, vowed to intensify the military’s anti-insurgency campaign in southern Mindanao.

“We must continue to take a more aggressive and determined stance as we draw closer to 2010, during which we should have attained decisive victory over insurgency and other armed threats in this part of the country,” Mapagu said during the turnover ceremonies at the parade grounds of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao at Camp Panacan here.