THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has assured the Philippine National Police (PNP) of support in its campaign against illegal drugs and fight against terrorism.
This was underscored by Major General Raul Del Rosario, commander of AFP Central Command (Centcom), said during his visit in Negros Occidental on Thursday.
Del Rosario said the military forces want to convey to the policemen particularly in Negros Island Region (NIR) their intent to support their operations and intelligence monitoring to implement necessary actions that can prevent terrorism.
“We want to let the police know our role in this endeavor,” he said, adding the AFP is seeking to establish better coordination and relationship with the PNP.
Del Rosario, as the newly-installed AFP commander of Central Command, is making his rounds in the provinces and meeting with the police regional directors and army brigade commanders to assess the situation in their respective areas and check their preparations against terrorism.
“I would like to affirm our commitment in supporting the PNP especially in the anti-drug campaign and counter-terrorism,” Del Rosario said.
He also assured Negrenses that the AFP is continuously monitoring through their intelligence unit any prevailing threats.
“There are indications that need validation but with our assessment it is not very alarming,” Del Rosario said, adding that security forces know what they are doing to deter any eventuality.
In the war against drugs, he said the AFP has signed a letter of instruction with the PNP, defining their role in the campaign.
“We will keep our troops ready for any instruction that we will get from them if they need assistance,” he added.
Del Rosario said he feels very secure in the leadership of Chief Superintendent Renato Gumban, director of Police Regional Office (PRO)-NIR, especially in the region’s campaign against illegal drugs.
