WIN THE PEACE. AFP chief-of-staff, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay meets with officers and enlisted personnel during his visit to the Southern Luzon Command (SolCom) in Camp Nakar in Lucena City, Quezon on Monday (Sept. 28, 2020). Gapay urged all SolCom officers and enlisted personnel to intensify their efforts to win the peace against communist terrorists in the Southern Tagalog and Bicol regions. (Photo courtesy of AFP Public Affairs Office)
MANILA – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, has urged all Southern Luzon Command (SolCom) officers and enlisted personnel to intensify their efforts so that peace can be won against communist terrorists in the Southern Tagalog and Bicol regions.
Gapay made this appeal to SolCom troops during his visit to Camp Nakar in Lucena City, Quezon on Monday.
"We must prove through our actions the qualities that distinguish the Filipino soldier. Always remain respectful and humble. We should never be complacent and sit down on our laurels. We should always do our jobs and accomplish them to the best of our abilities," he said in a statement released on Tuesday.
Gapay's visit to Camp Nakar is a continuation of his tour of major camps nationwide following his designation as AFP chief in August.
"I am proud and elated to know that SolCom continues to gain ground in sustaining our joint and interagency operations that have resulted in the significant reduction of communist insurgents in your area of responsibility," he added.
Gapay also visited the 902nd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Labo, Camarines Norte.
He cited the surrender of eight New People's Army (NPA) members at Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro last September 20, which according to him, showed the sincerity and genuine efforts of the government in employing the whole-of-nation approach.
The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
A total of 408 communist armed members and supporters were neutralized in Southern Tagalog and Bicol so far this year.
This includes 35 who were killed, 334 who surrendered, and 39 apprehended in various internal security and community support operations.
"Let us sustain this momentum so that we can finally bring just and lasting peace in the country," Gapay said. (PNA)
