Kidnapped Victims rescued by Marine Intel Operatives

BY: LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Monday, 21 March 2010

Kidnappped victim Examinda C Lindio who was abducted last March 13, 2010 while in the vicinity of public market of Sitio Oval, Barangay Matibay, Lamitan City was rescued by Joint Intel Operatives Elements of 1st Marine Brigade, Marine Battalion Landing Team-1 and MARCC-M. The continuous surveillance and casing on the suspected kidnapper yielded a positive result which led to recovery of the kidnapped victim.

On March 18 at 2:00PM in the afternoon, the combined recovery team of Marines stormed the residence of a certain Arvin Guiroy Arciaga, 30 and a resident of Sitio Maloong, San Jose, Lamitan City, Basilan Province the prime suspect in the abduction. After the team of Marines scoured the house of the suspect. They found that the missing person Examinda Lindio is in the basement of the said house. But based on the initial investigation conducted, said kidnapping incident was allegedly a staged kidnapping put up by the rescued and the suspected kidnappers who are reportedly having an illicit affair and further plan to elope upon payment of ransom. The 2 are now in the custody of 1MBde in Barangay Tabiawan, Isabela City.

PRESS ADVISORY

BY: LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office


WHO: Navy Ships and 62nd Force Reconnaissance Company

WHAT: Send Off Ceremony

WHEN: 22 March 2010 @ 07:30 a.m.

WHERE: Commo Divino Pier, Headquarters Philippine Navy, Naval Station Jose Andrada, 2335 Pres M Roxas Blvd, Manila

DETAILS:

The Philippine Navy sends off its ships under Philippine Fleet and members of the 62nd Force Reconnaissance Company under Philippine Marine Corps on 22 March 2010 at seven thirty in the morning. Newly repaired surface assets that will be deployed to operational areas are: BRP Rajah Humabon (PF 11); BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS 36); BRP General Mariano Alvarez (PS 38); BRP Simeon Castro (PG 374); BRP Apollo Tiano (PG 851); and BRP Gen Emilio Aguinaldo (PG 140).

Vice Admiral Golez is the keynote speaker during the ceremony which will be attended by Senior Fleet Marine Commanders. After the send off ceremony, the FOIC PN will make way for an interview at the Officers’ Clubroom. He is also expected to announce other significant developments and upcoming events in the Navy.

Binibining Pilipinas 2010 winners will grace the send off ceremony to boost the morale of the Sailors and Marines that will be deployed of different Naval Forces.

Friends from the media are invited to cover the said event. Interested parties may coordinate with 1LT JOSE P DINGLASAN PN(M) at mobile telephone number 0918.564.9637 for transportation arrangements and other details. A 25-seater Rosa Bus will be available and will be prepositioned on or about 6:30 a.m. beside AFP Public Affairs Office, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo to depart 6:45 a.m. for the Navy Headquarters. The passengers will be ferried back to Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo after the activity.

Navy Sends Additional Forces to Haunt Down Abus

BY: LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office


Saturday, 20 March 2010

In line with the guidance of AFP Chief of Staff General Delfin N Bangit to get the remaining members of the Abu Sayyaf Group within 60 days, the Philippine Navy deploys its elite force, patrol vessels, and gun boats to different operational areas all over the country. The send off ceremony will be held 7:30 a.m. Monday, 22 March 2010 at the Headquarters Philippine Navy.
Newly repaired surface assets that will be deployed to operational areas specifically in Visayas and Mindanao are: BRP Rajah Humabon (PF 11); BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS 36); BRP General Mariano Alvarez (PS 38); BRP Simeon Castro (PG 374); BRP Apollo Tiano (PG 851); and BRP Gen Emilio Aguinlado (PG 140). A company from the Philippine Marine Corps’ (PMC) elite force will also be deployed to Basilan to augment government forces present in the said province.
Vice Admiral Ferdinand S Golez, Flag Officer In Command, Philippine Navy will preside over the ceremony to be attended by Senior Fleet-Marine Unit Commanders. Major General Juancho M Sabban, Commandant, PMC and Rear Admiral Geronimo R Defensor, Commander, Philippine Fleet will assist Vice Admiral Golez during the inspection of troops and their equipment.
Binibining Pilipinas 2010 winners will also grace the send off ceremony to help boost the morale of the Sailors and Marines which will result in their improved efficiency in the performance of their duties and responsibilities to the country and the Filipino people.
Considering the dangers of the task, the Navy will remain committed in the performance of their sworn duties to protect the people and preserve the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.
The deployment of personnel and assets is seen as another step to the realization of the Navy’s quest to attain prominence in security operations and support to law-enforcement actions against lawless elements operating in the Visayas and Mindanao. The send-off of the vessels and marine personnel are the navy’s contribution to Team AFP’s mandate to intensify humanitarian and development endeavors, win peace, maintain security, and seize a major role in nation-building.
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Kidnapped Victims rescued by Marine Intel Operatives

BY: LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, naval Public Affairs Office


Friday, 19 March 2010

Kidnappped victim Examinda C Lindio who was abducted last March 13, 2010 while in the vicinity of public market of Sitio Oval, Barangay Matibay, Lamitan City was rescued by Joint Intel Operatives Elements of 1st Marine Brigade, Marine Battalion Landing Team-1 and MARCC-M. The continuous surveillance and casing on the suspected kidnapper yielded a positive result which led to recovery of the kidnapped victim.

On March 18 at 2:00PM in the afternoon, the combined recovery team of Marines stormed the residence of a certain Arvin Guiroy Arciaga, 30 and a resident of Sitio Maloong, San Jose, Lamitan City, Basilan Province the prime suspect in the abduction. After the team of Marines scoured the house of the suspect. They found that the missing person Examinda Lindio is in the basement of the said house. But based on the initial investigation conducted, said kidnapping incident was allegedly a staged kidnapping put up by the rescued and the suspected kidnappers who are reportedly having an illicit affair and further plan to elope upon payment of ransom. The 2 are now in the custody of 1MBde in Barangay Tabiawan, Isabela City. ###

Navy Rescues Hijacked-Malaysian Fishing Trawler

BY: LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Friday, 19 March 2010

A Malaysian fishing trawler hijacked in Sabah, Malaysia was rescued Wednesday, 17 March 2010 in Mapun, Tawi-Tawi by combined elements of the Philippine Navy and local government units of Tawi-Tawi.
In a report of Rear Admiral Alexander P Pama, Commander, Naval Forces Western Mindanao (C, NFWM) and Head of Joint Task Force Trillium to Vice Admiral Ferdinand S Golez, Flag Officer In Command, Philippine Navy, the Royal Malaysian Navy area II Commander, First Admiral Anui notified C, NFWM that Tong Hai, a Malaysian registered vessel with six crew members, was hijacked at Tigabu Island, Sabah, Malaysia by four suspected robbers 2 a.m. Tuesday, 16 March 2010. The hijackers were reportedly asking for a 150,000 Malaysian Ringgit as ransom. Rear Admiral Pama in coordination with the local government units of Mapun-Taganak areas, immediately dispatched BRP Cebu (PS28) backed by patrol craft with elements of the Marines from MBLT2 on board. The decisive move pressured the hijackers into fleeing back to Sabah and release the trawler to its owners.
Immediate action of these Fleet-Marine Forces resulted to the early release of the fishing boat to its owners in Sabah on 17 March 2010 in Malaysia.
This successful operation is attributed to the good relations the Royal Malaysian Navy and Philippine Navy has with its counterpart with other navies in the region. With a united stand and cooperation against terrorism and transnational crimes, Asians are assured of a peaceful and secured maritime environment. The Navy is always ready to respond to people in distress regardless of race and color. It is part of its commitment to the international community of providing security to local and national vessels transiting our waters.

OA 0200H 16 Mar10 a Malaysian fishing trawler TONG HAI w/ (6) crew members onboard and registered in Sandakan Sabah, was hijacked at Tigabu Island,Sabah Malaysia by 4 suspected robbers who were reportedly asking 150,000 Malaysian Ringgit as ransom. It is believed that the boat was taken to the Southern Philippine waters more particularly in the direction of Cagayan de tawi tawi (mapun). Info was relayed by the RMN to PN NFWM. Opns were immediately conducted by Naval Task force 62 fleet-marine forces and the lgu's in the mapun-taganak areas resulting to the early release of the fishing boat to its owners in sabah on 17 march 2010.
###

Task Group HOPE kicks off in La Union

Atty. Joel J. Gines, Chairman of Joint Security Control Center La Union, together with Commodore Jose Luis M Alano, Commander Naval Forces Northern Luzon, and Police Senior Superintendent Noli G Taliňo, Provincial Police Director inspect the vehicles to be used for “Operation PN HOPE La Union 2010”. Joint elements of Philippine Navy (PN), Philippine National Police (PNP), Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and other concerned government agencies in La Union participated in the conduct of checkpoints and inspections in the province to ensure a successful May 2010 automated elections.



The Convoy of “Task Group HOPE (Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections) La Union 2010” leaves the gangway of Naval Station Ernesto Ogbinar, Poro Point, San Fernando City, La Union after the send off ceremony Tuesday, 09 March 2010. Joint elements of Philippine Navy (PN), Philippine National Police (PNP), Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and other concerned government agencies in La Union participated in the conduct of checkpoints and inspections in the province to ensure a successful May 2010 automated elections.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Saturday, 13 March 2010

To help ensure a successful May 2010 automated elections, joint elements of Philippine Navy (PN), Philippine National Police (PNP), Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and other concerned government agencies in La Union participated in the conduct of checkpoints and inspections in the province. A command send-off ceremony dubbed as “Operation PN HOPE (Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections) La Union 2010” was conducted Tuesday, 09 March 2010 in Naval Forces Northern Luzon with Atty. Joel J. Gines, Chairman of Joint Security Control Center La Union, as presiding officer.

The PN Task Group HOPE La Union was created by virtue of the Joint Letter Directive 01-2010 also known as AFP-PNP Joint Security Guidelines for 2010 National and Local Elections. It envisions to further enhance the implementation of the Gun Ban, deter any Election Related Violence (ERV) incidents and to contribute to the success of the coming 10 May 2010 elections. The Task Group is composed of six teams with seven personnel each composed of an officer and six enlisted personnel that will act as traffic officer, searcher, back-up security and recorder.

One of the highlights of the ceremony was the inspection of troops by Commodore Jose Luis M Alano, Commander Naval Forces Northern Luzon, together with Police Senior Superintendent Noli G Taliňo, Provincial Police Director. After the presentation and inspection of the troops, Atty. Gines gave his message to the troops emphasizing how every concerned agency is doing its best to assure that the coming automated elections will be a success.
The ceremony concluded by the actual send-off of Task Group HOPE, headed by Commander Edgardo L Abordo, and the Pass- in-review of the troops onboard their respective vehicles.

Remarks of RADM FELICIANO A ANGUE AFP During his assumption as Commander, NCR Command on 13 March 2010

AMENITIES ...

AMIDST THE SCORCHING HEAT OF EARLY SUMMER, IT IS
A FINE DAY TO BEGIN THIS YET ANOTHER STIMULATING
JOURNEY IN MY MILITARY CAREER • I AM VERY HAPPY TO SEE
A LOT OF FAMILIAR AND EVEN NEW FACES WHO SHARE THE
SAME GLADNESS THAT I HAVE THIS VERY MOMENT - MY
FAMILY, COLLEAGUES, COMRADES, SHIPMATES, FRIENDS
FROM OVER THE YEARS, AS WELL AS MANY OTHER WEll-
WISHERS FROM THE DIFFERENT BRANCHES OF SERVICE AND
SECTORS OF THE SOCIETY • THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING TODAY·

AS I ASSUME COMMAND OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
REGION COMMAND TODAY, I PRAISE AND THANK THE LORD ALMIGHTY FOR THIS WONDERFUL BLESSING.

I AM ALSO VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE TRUST AND
CONFIDENCE THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME BY THE
PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF,THE SECRETARY OF
NATIONAL DEFENSE, THE CHIEF OF STAFF, AFP, THE FLAG
OFFICER IN COMMAND OF THE PHILIPPINE NAVY AND THE
REST OF THE BOARD OF GENERALS. WITH MY EXPRESSION OF
GRATITUDE IS MY PLEDGE - THAT I WILL DELIVER FOR THE
AFP, AND OUR NATION, AS I HAVE CONSISTENTLY
ENDEAVORED IN THE PAST·

BUT IT SEEMS THAT THE CRITICISMS AND SPECULATIONS
ON THE MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT NEVER CHANGE - ONLY
THE PERSONALITIES DO • SO, WE ALWAYS HAVE TO
REITERATE OUR PURPOSE, ROLES AND FUNCTIONS - THAT WE
ARE HERE ONLY TO UPHOLD THE LAW AND THE CONSTITUTION
- AND IT SEEMS THAT IT ALWAYS FALL ON DEAF EARS •
NEVERTHELESS WE DECLARE THIS OVER AND OVER AGAIN:
THE PUBLIC CAN REST ASSURED THAT THE MILITARY, THE
DEFENSE ESTABLISHMENT, WILL ALWAYS BE BOUND BY THE
LAW, AND WILL SERVE ITS PURPOSES • ULTIMATELY, WE ARE
ALL ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE, FOR WHOM THE LAW AND
GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING THE MILITARY - EXIST; TO SERVE
AND PROTECT •

IN SO FAR AS PERSONALITIES GO, WE ARE ALL JUST
PASSING HERE ONCE. WE STRIVE TO DO WHAT WE CAN FOR
THE WORLD TO BECOME BETTER THAN WHEN WE FOUND IT •
THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY PERSONAL GUIDEPOST IN MY
CAREER AS A MILITARY OFFICER. MY RECORD BEARS IT OUT,
AND MY SERVICE HAS BEEN UNTAINTED • NOW, I AM HERE TO
SERVE AS HEAD OF THE NCRCOM TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY,
AND WILL DO SO REGARDLESS OF ANY CRITICISM OR
SPECULATION. SPECIFICALLY, WITH REFERENCE TO THE
FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS THIS YEAR, UNDER MY COMMAND I
SHALL SEE TO IT THAT TOGETHER WITH THE WHOLE ARMED
FORCES , THE NCRCOM WILL WORK TO ENSURE THE
PEACEFUL AND ORDERLY CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS IN THE
NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION, IN COOPERATION WITH THE
COMELEC AND ALL OTHER AGENCIES INVOLVED·

SECONDLY, THE NCRCOM SHALL STEP UP THE
READINESS AND PREPARATIONS OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
REGION TO BE ABLE TO MEET ANY FUTURE NATURAL
CALAMITY WHICH COULD BE BROUGHT ABOUT BY CLIMATE
CHANGE. WE SHALL ENSURE THAT COORDINATION WITH THE
METROPOLITAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, THE METRO
MANILA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND OTHER AGENCIES OF
THE GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS NGO'S WILL BE MORE PROACTIVE
AND THE PROPER DISASTER PREPAREDNESS LEVELS
ARE PUT IN PLACE • THESE IMMEDIATE AND OTHER
CONCERNS ARE PART OF THE COMMAND THRUSTS AND
PRIORITIES THAT I SHALL BUCKLE DOWN TO IMMEDIATELY •

MY COMMITMENT TO THIS COMMAND, AND TO THE
ENTIRE AFP, IS TO BE FOCUSED ON LEADING, ORGANIZING,
TRAINING AND EQUIPPING THIS COMMAND TO CONTINUE TO
PROVIDE THAT GREAT ADVANTAGE OUR SOLDIERS BRING IN
TODAY'S FIGHT, AND JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, TO THE FIGHTS
THAT LIE AHEAD BE IT IN TIMES OF PEACE OR CRISIS·

LIKE ANY OTHER COMMAND POSITION IN THE MILITARY,
THIS IS JUST ANOTHER JOB. WHAT I BRING TO IT IS MY
COMMITMENT TO THE HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS OF
SERVICE, MY DEDICATION TO THE MOTTO COURAGE,
INTEGRITY, AND LOYALTY TO THE FLAG AND THE
CONSTITUTION. SHOULD THERE COME A TIME WHEN EVEN
RIGHT TO FORM AN OPINION ON ANYTHING THAT AFFECTS HIM
OR HER, AND ALSO THE RIGHT TO EXPRESS THAT OPINION,
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT IS LEGITIMATE AND VALID, OR
MISGUIDED AND ERRONEOUS • AND WE, THE MILITARY, ARE
DUTY-BOUND TO PROTECT THE EXERCISE OF THOSE RIGHTS -
EVEN AS THE MILITARY, IN THE INTEREST OF IMPARTIALITY,
NON-PARTISANSHIP, AND PROFESSIONALISM, HAVE TO KEEP
OUR THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS TO OURSELVES. WHY? SIMPLY
BECAUSE WE HAVE THE WHEREWITHAL TO ENFORCE OUR
OWN OPINIONS - THAT CAPACITY TO BACK IT UP WITH LETHAL
FORCE. ON THE OTHER HAND, CERTAIN QUARTERS OF OUR
SOCIETY, AND SOME EXTERNAL INFLUENCES, DO THREATEN
THE SECURITY AND STABILITY OF THE STATE THROUGH
ARMED AND OTHERWISE DANGEROUS WAYS AND MEANS •
THE ROLE AND FUNCTION OF THE MILITARY IS SIMPLY TO
STOP OR PREVENT SUCH THREATS FROM ACTUALLY HARMING
THE STATE AND ITS CITIZENS. THE POLITICAL EFFECTS AND
REPERCUSSIONS OF THAT FUNCTION DO NOT CONCERN THE
MILITARY, BECAUSE THAT IS THE DOMAIN OF THE POLITICAL
LEADERSHIP OF THE COUNTRY - BOTH THE ADMINISTRATION
AND THE OPPOSITION • BOTH ARE NEEDED TO PRODUCE A
NATIONAL POLICY THAT IS ABLE TO ADEQUATELY CONSIDER
ALL POSSIBLE SIDES, AND STRIVE TO BENEFIT ALL QUARTERS.
OFTENTIMES, THIS DEMOCRATIC PROCESS MARGINALIZES THE
MILITARY AND PRACTICALLY DECREASES ITS CAPABILITY TO
EFFECTIVELY MEET AND NEUTRALIZE EVERY SECURITY
THREAT • THIS IS WHY WE NEED TO CONSTANTLY EVOLVE AND
DEVELOP, JUST AS THE ENEMIES OF THE STATE ARE
CONSTANTLY EVOLVING AND CHANGING·

WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT THE MORAL FOUNDATION OF
THE ENTIRE DEFENSE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNTRY IS
THE CONSTITUTION, PROVIDING THE MANDATE AND LEGAL
RIGHT TO EXERCISE THE STATE'S POWERS THAT ARE GIVEN
TO THE DEFENSE ESTABLISHMENT IN PURSUIT OF THEIR DUTY
AND MISSION • BUT THE CRITICISMS THAT THIS PROFESSIONAL
DUTY OF THE MILITARY IS NOT BEING DONE OR FOLLOWED
SCRUPULOUSLY USUALLY GAIN PUBLICITY MILEAGE AS PART
OF POLITICAL ATTACKS ON THE ADMINISTRATION • BY DOING
SO, HOWEVER, THESE CRITICS AND POLITICAL OPPONENTS,
ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT GOOD SOLDIERS ARE
AUTOMATONS AND LIVE ONLY TO FOLLOW ORDERS,
EXPEDIENTLY CAST ASIDE THE VALUES OF HONOR,
DEDICATION, PROFESSIONALISM, SOLIDARITY, LEADERSHIP
AND PATRIOTISM THAT CAREER MILITARY OFFICERS HAVE
PAINSTAKINGLY NURTURED AND HONORABLY DEVELOPED
THROUGHOUT THEIR YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COUNTRY.·
THEY SEE THE MILITARY DISCIPLINE AND SYSTEMIC RIGIDITY
MANIFESTED FROM THE LOWEST RANKS OF ENLISTED
PERSONNEL UP TO THE HIGHEST-RANKING COMMANDERS AS
THE TOTAL SUBSERVIENCE OF THE MILITARY ORGANIZATION
AS A WHOLE TO THE ADMINISTRATION, RATHER THAN AS A
REQUIREMENT TO BE ABLE TO PERFORM ITS FUNDAMENTAL
MISSION, WHICH IS: TO PROTECT THE STATE; TO SAFEGUARD
ITS CITIZENS: AND TO PRESERVE OUR WAY OF LIFE •

BUT OF COURSE, WE SAY THAT OURS IS A DEMOCRACY,
SO THAT THOSE PEOPLE WHO CRITICIZE THE GOVERNMENT
HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO SO. IN FACT, IT IS EVERY CITIZEN'S
CLASS OF '78, IS ANOTHER ITEM FOR CLOSE SCRUTINY,
PARTICULARLY UNDER THE POLITICALLY-TINTED LENSES OF
THOSE WHO ARE CRITICAL OF THE PRESENT DISPENSATION •

TO MY MIND, MILITARY COMMANDERS HAVE BEEN
SUBJECT TO POLITICALLY-INFLUENCED SCRUTINY AND
EVALUATION. AS THE RANK AND POSITION GETS HIGHER,
SUCH SCRUTINY BECOMES EVEN MORE ACUTE AND SEVERE •
BUT, AS WE ALL SHOULD KNOW, THE COMMAND POSTING OF
QUALIFIED MILITARY OFFICERS ARE MADE UPON
APPROPRIATE RECOMMENDATION ON THE BASIS OF
PERFORMANCE AND CAPABILITY, TRACK RECORD AND
ACCEPTABILITY TO THE PREVAILING AUTHORITIES BOTH IN
THE MILITARY AND CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT STRUCTURES •
THIS PROCESS HIGHLIGHTS NOT ONLY THE MERIT SYSTEM OF
MILITARY CAREER ADVANCEMENT, BUT ALSO THE
PROFESSIONALISM OF LEADERSHIP IN THE AFP • STILL, THERE
WILL ALWAYS BE CERTAIN SPECULATIONS BY THOSE ON THE
OUTSIDE WHO IMPUTE CERTAIN CONCLUSIONS UPON THE
DECISIONS AND ACTIONS OF THOSE IN AUTHORITY AND
POWER; AND LIKEWISE, WHATEVER THE REASONS THAT
SUPPORT THE DECISION AND CHOICE OF THOSE IN
AUTHORITY AND POWER FOR APPOINTING THE COMMANDING
OFFICER, HIS ONLY OBLIGATION IS TO FAITHFULLY EXECUTE
THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OFFICE TO WHICH
HE HAS BEEN ASSIGNED - AND THEREBY UPHOLD THE
CONSTITUTION AND THE LAW • FURTHER STRETCHING THE LIMITED RESOURCES OF
GOVERNMENT .

IS MY INTENT THEREFORE TO CONSULT LOCAL
GOVERNMENT UNITS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND
OTHER SECURITY PARTNERS, IN COMING UP WITH A
FRAMEWORK OF SECURITY AND ORDER FOR NCR . IN
SUPPORT TO THIS, WE SHALL REINFORCE NETWORKS WITH
OUR STAKEHOLDERS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND CIVIL
SOCIETY .

IN VIEW OF THIS, THE COMING DAYS SHALL SEE NCRCOM
MAKING SOME ADJUSTMENTS AND IN SOME WAYS REDEFINING
ITS TRADITIONAL ROLE. OUR RESOURCES SHALL BE APPLIED
IN LARGE MEASURE FOR THE PROTECTION OF LIVES,
LIBERTIES, AND PROPERTIES AS WELL AS THE SEAT OF
GOVERNMENT . LIKEWISE, THESE RESOURCES SHALL BE SO
DEPLOYED TO ENGENDER UNHAMPERED PURSUIT OF
PRODUCTIVE ENDEAVORS AND OUR DEMOCRATIC WAY OF
LIFE .

LET ME NOW DELVE ON THE HAZY SIDE - BY THE
NCRCOM'S CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE CENTERS OF
AUTHORITY AND POWER, HOWEVER, SOME SECTORS OF THE
GENERAL PUBLIC ARE WARY OF THE COMMAND AS THEY DO
PRACTICALLY FOR THE WHOLE AFP . THUS, MY POSTING TO
THIS COMMAND, COMING AS IT DOES ON THE HEELS OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF THE NEW CHIEF OF STAFF AND THE CGPA
AND WITH ALL OF US COMING FROM THE PMA MAKATARUNGAN
COHESION IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION AND ITS
ENVIRONS •

AS SUCH, I SEE TWO MAJOR ROLES FOR NCRCOM: A
PROTECTIVE ROLE AND A PRODUCTIVE ROLE. IN TANDEM WITH
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN METRO MANILA, NCRCOM IS
EXPECTED TO PERFORM THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL FUNCTION
OF GOVERNMENT WHICH IS THE PROTECTION OF ITS PEOPLE
AND THEIR PROPERTY AGAINST ACTS OF AGGRESSION. WHEN
ITS PROTECTIVE ROLE IS WELL PERFORMED, NCRCOM
PERFORMS A PRODUCTIVE ROLE BY CATALYZING ECONOMIC
ACTIVITY AND IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY OF THE CITIZENS IT
PROTECTS • THESE CATALYTIC ACTIONS SHALL PROSPER
UNDER A SECURED ENVIRONMENT CONGENIAL TO SOCIOECONOMIC
ENTERPRISE •

PERFORMANCE OF THESE ROLES AND ACHIEVEMENT OF
THEIR GOALS, WE ALL KNOW, IS NOT A WALK IN THE PARK •
THREATS TO THEIR ATTAINMENT ABOUND. WE IN THE
MILITARY CANNOT ADDRESS SECURITY CHALLENGES ALONE •
IT IS PRUDENT THAT WE ENGAGE SECURITY PARTNERS TO
DEVELOP PLANS AND CONDUCT OPERATIONS FROM A SHARED
PERSPECTIVE AND POSSIBLY THROUGH POOLED RESOURCES
• CONCEIVABLY, THIS CALLS FOR ESTABLISHING A MORE
PERMANENT SECURITY FRAMEWORK THAT INCLUDES
COMMONLY UNDERSTOOD STRATEGIC CONCEPTS,
OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLES, RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN
AGENCIES, AND ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • IN SO DOING,
WE SHALL BRING SYNERGY IN OUR INITIATIVES AND AVOID
LIKE EVERY COMMANDER SINCE THE BIRTH OF THIS
STRONG COMMAND IN 2003, I STAND ON THE EXPANSIVE
SHOULDERS OF MY PREDECESSORS, THE MOST RECENT OF
WHOM IS LTGEN REY MAPAGU, WHOSE RESPECTIVE STINTS
FOR THE PAST YEARS HAVE SEEN THE GROWTH OF THIS VERY
IMPORTANT COMMAND • TAKING OFF FROM THEIR LEAD, I
SHALL CARRY ON WITH THEIR LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP AND
PROMISE TO PURSUE THE IDEALS THAT THIS COMMAND, AND
THE ENTIRE AFP, HAS ADHERED TO· INDEED, I AM HUMBLED
BY THE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE BESTOWED ON ME BY THE
NATIONAL, DEFENSE AND MILITARY LEADERSHIP ESPECIALLY
AT THIS TIME WHEN THE PHILIPPINES IS HOLDING ITS FIRST
AUTOMATED NATIONAL ELECTORAL EXERCISE. LET ME THEN
ASSURE EVERYONE THAT AS TRUE PROFESSIONALS FAITHFUL
TO OUR SACRED OATH, I SHALL ENSURE THAT MEMBERS OF
THIS COMMAND SHALL ADHERE TO OUR AFP LEADERSHIPS'
GUIDANCE TO REMAIN NON-PARTISAN AND PERFORM OUR
DUTIES IN ENSURING HONEST, ORDERLY AND PEACEFUL
ELECTIONS •

I AM EQUALLY HUMBLED BY THE COMMANDS DAUNTING
MISSION OF SECURING THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT WHILE
ENSURING A PHYSICALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY SOUND
ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE TO GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION. IN THAT REGARD. THIS
COMMAND HELPS SHAPE AN ATMOSPHERE FAVORABLE TO
POLITICAL STABILITY, ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND SOCIAL
OUR LIVES ARE PUT ON THE LINE IN THE PURSUIT OF OUR DUTY, THEN AS SOLDIERS OF THE REPUBLIC WE ARE READY AND WILLING TO MAKE THAT SACRIFICE • WE SHALL
STAND OUR WATCH AS TRUE PROFESSIONALS MINDFUL OF
OUR SOLEMN OATH TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND TO
PROTECT OUR PEOPLE AND THE STATE. WE ONLY ASK THAT
WE BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT, AND TO BE
ALLOWED TO DO OUR JOB AS WE SEE FIT BECAUSE WE
BELIEVE THAT THAT IS OUR DUE •

TO ALL THE SECTORS REPRESENTED HERE TODAY, HEAR
THE AFP SOLDIER'S PATRIOTIC APPEAL - TOGETHER, LET US
WORK CONSTRUCTIVELY TO OUR UTMOST BEST AND DELIVER
OUR BELOVED COUNTRY TO THE PEDESTAL OF RESPECT AND
ADMIRATION OF THE ENTIRE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY·
MAGANDANG UMAGA AT MABUHAY TAYONG LAHAT.
-END-