ARMED Forces chief Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro yesterday vowed to be aggressive in the campaign against communist insurgency which his predecessors vowed to end but failed to.
In a speech during his assumption of the top military post, speech, Bacarro said the military establishment will intensify collaboration with various stakeholders to finally end the 53-year-old insurgency.
“We will be unyielding in ending the insurgency that has plagued our people and fueled poverty in the various sectors of our society,” said Bacarro.
Bacarro is a recipient of the Medal of Valor, the highest military award in combat, for courage and gallantry, among others, during a fierce gun battle with communist rebels in Maconacon, Isabela in February 1991.
“Over the years, we have seen the value of collaboration in curing the ills of our nation. The AFP will continue strengthening its partnerships with our peace stakeholders.This has been specially effective in ending local communism and even the battling of the corona virus,,” said Bacarro.
The military has placed the strength of the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, at around 2,700 as of June this year, from a high of more than 20,000 in the 1980s.
President Marcos Jr., who graced the military’s change of command ceremonies in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, said he is looking forward to a stronger and improved Armed Forces under Bacarro.
“I am sure that we will all now know that we have a reliable partner in the AFP under the helm of General Bacarro as we commence the difficult undertaking of rebirth and restoration of the Republic, transforming the country into a haven that is safe, secure, peaceful, and prosperous for all present and future Filipinos to enjoy,” Marcos said.
Bacarro said the military, under his watch, will continue to pursue members of terrorist groups which he said have “disrupted the normal and peaceful lives of our fellow Filipinos in affected areas.”
Bacarro assumed command of the Armed Forces from Gen. Andres Centino who served as AFP chief for nine months. Centino who is supposed to retire in February 2023, will reportedly be given a post under the Marcos government.
Bacarro unveiled a five-point thrust called UNITY: U for unparalleled professionalism, N for noble utilization of resources, I for invigorating capability development, T for tenacity in sustaining gains and Y for yearning for service excellence.
Under the U thrust, Bacarro said the AFP will sustain its current level of discipline and strict adherence to the rule of law which he said has earned the respect of the Filipino people based on recent survey results.
“Let us strive to maintain if not surpass our ability to be more effective and credible defenders of our country,” said Bacarro.
He said the N thrust calls for the “judicious use of our resources.” He noted that government resources are “stretched to the limit” due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The challenge for us is to meet our objective and successfully accomplish our missions with what was allocated to us,” said Bacarro.
“The judicious use of our resources will enable us to stay mission oriented. This raises a simple matter of economics to the level of honor, honesty and uprightness. In other words the noble utilization of our resources,” he said.
Under “I” or invigorating capability development, Bacarro said the military will ensure that equipment being acquired for the modernization of the Armed Forces are delivered on time.
“And in the same manner, we will endeavor to continue forwarding the self-reliant defense posture program to make the Armed Forces at par with nations in our region,” said Bacarro.
He said attaining a minimum defense posture will allow the AFP to “adopt more quickly and discover new techniques to help us deliver services that are geared towards attaining peace and protecting the sovereignty of our country.”
Under “T,” Bacarro said the military will sustain the tenacity of the military gains in addressing both the external and internal threats.
“Over the last decades, we have made great strides in addressing the various external and internal threats to our people and our country. We must not squander these gains. Rather, we should tenaciously preserve and sustain these gains,” he said.
Bacarro thanked the President for giving him the opportunity to lead the Armed Forces, and assured him and the Filipinos that he will “do his best” as the AFP chief.
He also sought the help of all soldiers. He said he is counting on the individual and collective contribution of AFP members “to make a difference in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and in the lives of our countrymen.”
“Together let us have a firm resolve to remain as one AFP, faithful to our constitutional duty as protector of the people and the state. Together, we can make a difference,” said Bacarro.
Marcos, at the turnover, recognized Bacarro’s accomplishments and described the general as the “right leader” for the job and a fearless leader.
He also recognized Centino for his exemplary service and leadership. He said Centino stood for meritocracy, professionalism, and accountability and for giving substance to competence, fair play, and justice in dealing with the ranks.
“He is a true patriot, a valiant soldier, an accomplished officer, a committed leader, an exemplary public servant. To General Centino, much respect and admiration for all that you have done. Thank you for your excellent service,” Marcos said. — With Jocelyn Montemayor
