AFP civil military units ordered to assist community pantries —Sobejana

Armed Forces chief General Cirilito Sobejana on Thursday said he has ordered the Civil-Military Operations Office (J7) support various community pantries that appeared across the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

At a press conference, Sobejana said the military organization will support existing community pantries by providing food and allotting funds for their initiative.

“I already directed my J7 to issue a directive to all our units to organize themselves particularly the civil military operations unit and support this kind of undertaking among the other partners in the society,” he said.

The Defense Department, meanwhile, said it was also ready to assist such initiatives.

“Kindness is everyone’s color. Kahit ano pa ang paniniwala niya, basta taos pusong tumutulong, susuportahan natin. The DND appreciates and supports the initiative of these community pantries. We are ready to assist if requested by the LGUs and the DILG and, if necessary, to deploy the AFP Mobile Kitchens where they are needed,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement.

The remarks of Sobejana and Lorenzana came amid accusations that government security forces, including the police, have been linking organizers of community pantries to communist rebels.

A number of government officials, as well as Malacañang, have come to the organizers' side, saying such initiative should be supported.

Sobejana said he is planning to convince the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to donate their subsistence allowance for one day to the funds of community pantries.

According to Sobejana, the military will also set up their own community pantries or similar projects in areas where such help has yet to be offered.

He said they will identify areas that are most affected by the lockdown in light of the spread of COVID-19.

Government anti-insurgency task force spokesperson Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr. earlier admitted they are checking the backgrounds of community pantry organizers.

According to him, some leftist groups have been exploiting the community pantry initiative for propaganda purposes and undermine the government. —KBK/RSJ, GMA News