Bautista: No letdown in the Army

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  - "There is no need for a loyalty check on infantry units," said newly-installed Philippine Army chief Major Gen. Emmanuel Bautista as he denied any report of the alleged brewing discontentment in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly in his command.

Bautista, in his visit to the 303rd Infantry Brigade at Barangay Minoyan in Murcia town of Negros Occidental last Wednesday, said he was confident of the professionalism of the 80,000-strong Philippine Army soldiers, who will not allow themselves to be used in politics.

"We are all loyal to the AFP and our country. We will just do our job and continue our mission of winning the peace. We will not allow ourselves to be distracted by anything," he said.

The AFP had earlier dismissed speculations that some military generals and soldiers allied with the past administration allegedly met, following what some described as the "inhuman treatment" of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, by the government.

"We will follow the chain of command, and remain non-partisan," he said. "We have the legal process and the rule of law to follow," Bautista said.

On the other hand, Bautista defended the implementation of his brainchild, "Internal Peace and Security Bayanihan" project, that has been criticized by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Bautista said the Oplan Bayanihan campaign plan has involved all stakeholders during its crafting and it is an open document for everybody to see. "It presents a choice for the people if they want peace, or continuing violence," he said.

"We are very transparent (with) our campaign plan … and what we want to achieve is open to the people. We have laid down our plans and directions. Let the people decide," said Bautista.

The CPP-NPA has dismissed the Oplan Bayanihan as merely a recycled Oplan Bantay Laya campaign plan of the previous administration that only heightened militarization in the countryside.  (FREEMAN)