Monday, May 9, 2011

Army to pursue peace and development outreach program

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (April 16, 2011) – As two changes of command took place recently in General Santos City and Sarangani, the Armed Forces of the Philippines vowed to continue its peace and development outreach program in their area of responsibility.

“As the change of command happens only within the division, there is continuity of campaign for the peace and development outreach program plans and activities,” presiding officer BGEN Ricardo Rainier Cruz III said at the change of command of the Joint Task Force Gensan (JTFG) Friday (April 15).

New JTFG commander COL Joselito Kakilala said Cruz, now 10th Infantry Division assistant commander for operations, authored the division’s hallmark peace and development outreach program where the army conducts humanitarian and social work for the communities.

Cruz was former brigade commander of the 1002nd Infantry (Bagwis) Brigade based in Pulatana, Malungon, Sarangani Province who was relieved from post on April 1 by COL Glorioso Miranda, former commander of the JTFG.

Kakilala was formerly assigned in Surigao, Agusan and Basilan.

“I commit myself to implement the various programs to promote the general welfare of the community,” Kakilala said.

“Never can the JTF perform without your cooperation to fight against insurgency, threats, terror and danger,” Miranda said.

“I thank the Philippine National Police in our partnership in maintaining our common commodity which is the peace and order stability in our area of responsibility,” Miranda said.

JTFG is under 1002nd Brigade, the largest brigade of the 10th ID. At the change of command in Pulatana two weeks ago, presiding officer and Division Commander MGEN Jorge Segovia said: “This is an area where we found greater success in terms of insurgency… It is here where NPA recruitment is dwindling.” (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

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