AFP adopts new security plan under Duterte

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Friday unveiled its new campaign plan Development Support and Security Plan Kapayapaan, a military spokesperson said.

Col. Edgard Arevalo, AFP public affairs office chief, said Development Support and Security Plan Kapayapaan would replace Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan that expired on December 31, 2016.

“The document will serve as the blueprint as to how the AFP shall conduct its campaigns,” Arevalo said in a press statement.

In an interview, Arevalo said the campaign plan would "highlight and enhance the new and renewed role of the AFP towards nation building, especially in relation to the direction” set by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte has initiated aggressive peace negotiations with both the Communist movement and the Moro groups in the country.

Kapayapaan is the Filipino word for peace.

Asked for an assessment on IPSP Bayanihan, Arevalo said that the plan implemented during most of the Aquino administration was a success.

“Well, it was successful, it was able to achieve ‘yung ating objective which is to include ‘yung the whole of nation approach," Arevalo said.

"‘Yun ang (goal) ng bayanihan e, whole of nation approach, so you can move around that, we were able to attain that,” he added.

Bayanihan, like Oplan Bantay Laya during the Arroyo administration, was blamed for rights violations although at a lesser degree.

The command conference was presided by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

Also in attendance were AFP chief of staff General Eduardo Año, top military field commanders, major service commanders, Wide Support and Separate Unit commanders, key staff of the AFP, and the panel chairperson the of the government's implementing committee for the Bangsamoro and othe peace accords.

In a press statement, Arevalo said the highlight of the conference was the issuance of the command guidance by Año.

“He was clear, concise, and direct in his pronouncement that the top priority of the AFP under his leadership shall be the destruction of the terrorist groups of the ASG , Maute Group, BIFF, and other foreign and local terrorist groups,” he said.

He said to achieve the goal, apart from the conduct of focused combat operations employing the wherewithals of the AFP, Año desires that they enhance stakeholder engagement to ensure robust participation of the religious sector and local government.

“From our end, I want everyone here to exercise the highest degree of commandership. After all, the most important element of combat power is Leadership. Do and give your best and together we will create a winning team and get the job done,” Año said.

“We will give priority to frontline units in the assignment of the best Officers, Enlisted Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and Marines — our most important resource. And as such, we must take care of them. While we endeavor to give them the fighting edge, it is as essential that we increase their survivability rate,” he added.

Año said they will look at the welfare of their men and loved ones especially those who were combat casualties.

“Expedite the processing of the benefits due them; streamline the process and rationalize the requirements for promotion, schooling, and awards as well was disposition of cases,” he said.

The AFP chief of staff added that under his watch, the AFP will be fully committed to the primacy of the peace process guided by the President’s Roadmap to Peace.

“We will support fully the government’s war on drugs and shall extend full support to the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies both in terms of personnel and intelligence,” he said. —NB, GMA News