AFP activates peace and security coordinating body

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday has activated its Office for the AFP Secretariat for Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council (JPSCC) with a ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo.

In a statement, the AFP said the new office will work secretariat functions for the Chief of Staff, who co-chairs the council with the Philippine National Police (PNP) director general and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant.

Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, AJ3, Brigadier General Alex Rillera will lead the secretariat.

AFP Chief of Staff General Jose Faustino Jr. said the activation of the new office is more relevant and timely as the military sustains security operations against “state's adversaries.”

In July, the AFP and the PNP signed Resolution Number 11-2021 that included the PCG in the JPSCC and designated its commandant as one of the co-chairpersons.

The three chiefs also signed JPSCC Letter Directive No. 03-2021 which called for the reorganization of the coordinating center, the  AFP said.

“The volatility and complexity of the security environment compels us to review and assess our approaches and formulate new strategies,” Faustino said.

“We in the AFP are profoundly committed to working closely with the PNP and the PCG in order to maximize the effectiveness and reach of our efforts,” he added.—Joviland Rita/LDF, GMA News