Arroyo to military: Defeat communist, Muslim rebels by 2010

By Joel Guinto
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 02:48pm (Mla time) 01/05/2007

MANILA -- (UPDATE) PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the military on Friday to "defeat, destroy, and contain" threats to national security by the end of her term in 2010, as she reiterated her support for the Armed Forces modernization program.

Military Chief General Hermogenes Esperon Jr. issued similar marching orders to troops as he and the President, who is also concurrent defense secretary, welcomed the top brass in Camp Aguinaldo for the traditional New Year's call.

"I expect you to continue treading the path I have outlined as your acting secretary of national defense -- achieve a strategic defeat of the communist terrorist movement by 2010, destroy the Abu Sayyaf, and other terrorist groups, and contain secessionist groups in order to establish a secure environment conducive to national development," Arroyo said.


Esperon acknowledged that the military would be working on a "tight schedule" given the 2010 target, which is enclosed in Oplan Bantay Laya 2, a new internal security battle plan.

"And to raise the stakes even more, momentary setbacks could ruin what we, year after year, have been building. The defining trait is unflinching dedication to service and unblinking vigilance against all threat groups even on holidays," he said.

Esperon claimed that the strength of threat groups was on "progressive decline" and the neutralization of communist rebel leaders were "steadily on the rise."

After greeting military commanders, Arroyo presided over a pre-procurement conference for the purchase of 10 billion pesos worth of military hardware.

"We have collected enough funds for social services, infrastructure and our [Armed Forces] modernization program," she said.

Arroyo and Esperon were all smiles as they welcomed military commanders.

The President addressed her former chief of security, Brigadier General Delfin Bangit, by his nickname. "Hi, Del," she said.

Bangit now heads the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (ISAFP).

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