Westmincom chief tells commanders: Stay dedicated amid challenges

The head of the military's Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) has urged his ground commanders to stay dedicated in the face of "challenges" that may arise this year.

“We will prioritize the attainment of the breaking point of the communist terrorist groups and their consequent collapse and the decisive defeat of the terrorist groups -- the Abu Sayyaf, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and other foreign and local terrorists,” Westmincom commander Lieutenant General Arnel dela Vega said on Friday.

Dela Vega addressed over a hundred military troops and non-commissioned personnel at the New Year’s call held at the Westmincom mansion in Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City, according to information officer Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Besana,

Besana said the Westmincom commander also urged his men to continue working with the stakeholders by utilizing the "combined strategic convergence."

This, he said, is the AFP’s "population-centric’ strategy" which is "an inclusive measure to defeat threats by means of collective participation."

Dela Vega reminded the Westmincom on preparation to "address any eventualities that may arise with regard to the ensuing peace talks and of his hope that political settlement will happen in Mindanao."

Besana said the Westmincom chief also pledged to uplift the morale and welfare of the troops and the civilian workforce by "initiating force protection measures and by innovating existing tactics, techniques, and procedures."

The Westmincom has been at the forefront in the fight against Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (Isis)-inspired Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups in Marawi City.

Dela Vega was installed as commander in April last year, replacing now-retired AFP chief-of-staff General Carlito Galvez Jr. who is currently the new Presidential Peace Adviser.

Pledging their support and commitment at the New Year's call on Friday were the commanders of the Westmincom's joint task forces Major General Roseller Murillo, Major General Cirilito Sobejana, Brigadier General Divino Rey Pabayo, Jr., Colonel Leonel Nicolas, Colonel Camilo Balutan, and Colonel Fernando Reyeg.

Besana said Rear Admiral Rene Medina of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao; Brigadier General Cresenciano Marquez III of the Tactical Operations Wing; Police Chief Superintendent Emmanuel Luis Licup of the Police Regional Office IX; Captain Joseph Coyme of the Coast Guard District, South Western Mindanao; and Senior Superintendent Sydney Besana of the Bureau of Fire Protection IX were also in attendance. —Margaret Claire Layug/ LDF, GMA News