At least 148 New People’s Army and Abu Sayyaf Group rebels were killed since January this year, the Armed Forces said yesterday, and AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. wants soldiers to do more in order to lick the country’s internal security problems.
In a command conference with top military officers, Madrigal ordered commanders of the Army, Navy, and Air Force to intensify efforts against all the threat groups, especially in Mindanao and other areas in Luzon and the Visayas.
“I am directing the commanders at all levels to take the extra mile. Our mission accomplishment is directly proportional to the capacity and capability of our personnel and units to execute their mission. At the end of the day, it is our leadership that matters,” said Madrigal.
Also during the command conference, military commanders reported their various accomplishments in the second quarter of this year.
Data from January to July 24 this year said a total of 95 members of the NPA were killed while 145 others were arrested in various operations.
Madrigal said 5,788 communist rebels surrendered during the same period through the localized peace talks now currently being pursued by the government.
The military said it killed 53 ASG bandits and captured 12 others. A total of 24 ASG fighters also surrendered. (Aaron Recuenco)
