• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Outgoing AFP Visayas Command chief Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo yesterday ended 38 years of service to the Philippine military with a sense of satisfaction, as he rallied troops not to be complacent in light of the remarkable gains they achieved against the New People’s Army in the Visayas region.
Regardless of numbers, as to the current population of the Visayas rebel remnants, Arevalo said soldiers must always find ways, and do what is still needed, done.
Under his stint as VISCOM chief for more than a year, Arevalo reported that there were about 200 encounters initiated by government forces in the Visayas, which led to the neutralization of 657 rebels, including five top NPA officials in the region, among them Rogelio Posadas, secretary of the Komiteng Rehiyonal Negros/Cebu/Bohol/ Siquijor, and Rebecca Alfaro.
Of the neutralized rebels, 103 died in gunbattles, while government forces suffered only four casualties, VISCOM records showed.
In the same period, six guerilla fronts have been dismantled, five of which are in Negros Island, leading to the declaration of the island in a state of Stable Internal Peace and Security.
Our campaign was focused on a shared vision of peace, development and transformation, which were driven by the support and strength of the relationships we have developed with our peace loving communities, Arevalo said.
During my stint, our stride maneuvered on our priorities on identifying gaps in subduing the enemy, while integrating and enhancing our capabilities. Our operational environment is characterized by the threats posed by the local communist armed groups, which caused the shedding of blood and disruption of numerous lives, as we concentrated our efforts on destroying their leadership structure, weakening their manpower, dismantling their networks, exposing their treacherous nature, and providing opportunities for them to back into the folds of law, the VISCOM chief.
The enemy strength has been weakened, their foundation has been eliminated, Arevalo said.
While the majority of guerilla fronts have already been dismantled, he said there is much to be done yet, stressing the need for troops not to be complacent.
AFP chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. hailed Arevalo for his notable accomplishments that fueled VISCOM to still soar high amid challenges.
Commodore Oscar Canlas succeeded Arevalo as acting VISCOM chief, pending the appointment of a permanent successor by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Brawner, however, told Canlas to just carry on all the mandates for VISCOM, and to be steadfast in performing the immense responsibilities that envelope his present interim position.
As acting VISCOM chief, Canlas will supervise all the AFP units stationed in Visayas.
Arevalo was conferred yesterday with Distinguished Service Star medal by Brawner, during his retirement honors, which was also witnessed by former VISCOM chiefs, retired AFP chief of staff Gen. Victor Ibrado, retired Lt. Gen. John Bonafos and Roberto Ancan, among others.*
