The Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) on Wednesday disclosed that the military’s new security program, Oplan Kapayapaan, would be focusing on supporting the government development efforts to address internal security threats.
Military spokesperson Capt. Rhyan Batchar said in a press briefing Wednesday, Jan.18 that they are more focused on the support of nation building, help the law enforcement authorities in the fight against crime and illegal drugs, civil-military cooperation, peace-building advocacy, and application of military forces against terrorists and other armed threat groups.
Batchar added that the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) – which is the New People’s Army (NPA), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) – are considered as inclined peace groups as all three are undergoing negotiations with the government.
“Oplan Kapayapaan” recently replaced the Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan or known as “Oplan Bayanihan.”
“AFP is now focusing on the “ISIS-inspired” armed groups in the Philippines such as the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), Maute group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), Al- Kihilafah Philippines (AKP), and Jemaiah Islamiyah (JI),” Batchar said.
It can be recalled that EastMinCom on August 2016 sent around 1,000 troops to the western side of Mindanao to fight against the ASG.
Meanwhile, 10th Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Rafael Valencia told Edge in a separate interview that they would be supporting the government’s efforts by using their capabilities to bring services to far flung areas.
“The presence of the army in far flung areas and communities are for peace and development,” Valencia explained.
He added that they would be bringing their partner organizations with them and provide them security.
“All the operation of the AFP should be harmonized with the development and appropriate efforts of the different stakeholders,” he added.
The main difference, he explained, is that Bayanihan was aimed at “winning the peace,” while Kapayapaan is to “sustain the peace.”
