Military in EV preps for brgy elections

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines  â€” The Philippine Army in Eastern Visayas is now preparing measures to prevent NPA rebels from disrupting the barangay elections on October 28 this year, according to a PIA-8 report.

Colonel Rafael Valencia, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade based at Camp Jorge Downes in Ormoc City, said the rebels are expected to try to influence the outcome of the elections especially in areas where they   continue to operate because they want to gain favorable support from barangay officials.

Reports disclosed that NPA rebels are still operating in the towns of Jaro, Burauen and Albuera, all in Leyte, as shown in the ambush incident at Brgy. Rubas in Jaro last Saturday when two soldiers were wounded.

Valencia however deemed the incident an isolated case, but still government troops have to focus their operations on this area, along with strengthening their presence in some barangays in the provinces, especially in the coming elections.

Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran provinces are under the jurisdiction of the 802nd IBde headed by Valencia.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Jet Joel Velarmino last Sept. 12 took over the post of commander of the 8th Infantry Division, based in Catbalogan City in Samar, replacing Maj. Gen. Gerardo Layug who retired after serving the AFP for 37 years.

Velarmino, a member of the PMA Class 1982, was former deputy commander of the elite Special Operations that captured the kidnappers of Giuseppe Pierantoni in Zamboanga del Sur on April 2002. He was assigned in Negros provinces in the past before he was appointed chief of staff of the Philippine Army.

Velarmino, during the turnover ceremony, praised Layug for competent leadership and commendable performance. He vowed to the people of Eastern Visayas that his command will continue to persevere and ensure a reduction of insurgency-related incidents in the area to realize the government's economic programs.

Major Gen. Samuel Narbuada, who administered the rites, said the 8th ID had the best commanders since and was cited as the best division in the entire country last year.   (FREEMAN)