AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad (PNA photo by Ava Costales)
MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday refuted claims that the Task Force Davao would be dismantled.
"The EMC (Eastern Mindanao Command) has made a statement. We made some clarification, and there is no such directive for the disbandment of Task Force Davao," AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said during a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
He said AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.'s visit to Davao City, where the EMC headquarters is located, is focused at ensuring the military’s efforts to help calamity-hit communities.
AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla echoed Trinidad's remarks, saying Brawner's visit was aimed at determining how the military can help in the ongoing humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations in Davao Region.
The region was badly hit by torrential rains in recent days.
In a video message, Brawner reiterated that the task force will not be disbanded.
"Hindi po totoong bubuwagin natin yung Task Force Davao, instead magdadagdag pa ho tayo ng mga task forces sa mga lugar na talagang nangangailangan ng pwersa natin para mapanatili natin yung kapayapaan (Rumors that Task Force Davao will be disbanded are false. In fact, we will be creating more task forces for areas needed our presence to maintain the peace)," he added.
The Task Force Davao serves as the main unit of Joint Task Force Haribon in counter-terrorism operations and has been effectively instrumental in maintaining peace, security and development in Davao City.
Earlier, the EMC said "there are no instructions whatsoever coming from higher headquarters to remove Task Force Davao from its present mandate." (with reports from Lalaine Juinio and Ava Costales (OJTs)/PNA)
