News update PNP chief Verzosa assures Noynoy of continued reform

A heartened Philippine National Police chief assured President-elect Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III Thursday of continued "transformation and reform" in the police organization under the incoming administration, a radio report said.

Radio dzXL reported Thursday that PNP chief Jesus Verzosa was heartened upon learning that Aquino will retain him once the latter assumes the presidency June 30.

Verzosa had stressed "transformation and reform" in the police force under his watch. A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1976, Verzosa was named PNP chief in September 2008. He is scheduled to retire on December 25 this year.

On Wednesday, Aquino told reporters he is inclined to retain Verzosa as PNP chief, but not Armed Forces chief Gen. Delfin Bangit. [See: Noynoy on AFP chief Bangit: He must go]

For its part, the AFP assured it and Bangit will remain professional and will "obey and follow orders" of the incoming commander-in-chief.

"As a professional soldier, he will just obey and follow orders and in the meantime he will just continue serving and working for the AFP," AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said in an interview on dzBB radio.

Even the AFP itself will respect Aquino's position on the matter, he said.

"Pananaw yan ng magiging pangulo, nirerespeto ng AFP yan (It is the opinion of the incoming president and the AFP will respect that)," he added. "We are governed by systems and procedures."

He also stressed the AFP is professional and disciplined, and is centered not on personalities but on the institution.

"Ang ating organization ay professional at disciplined. Hindi naman kami sa personality but more on the institution patuloy kami sa pagtupad sa tungkulin at mananatili ang pag-adhere namin sa chain of command (Our organization is professional and disciplined. We are centered not on personalities but on the institution. We will continue to do our duty and adhere to the chain of command)," Burgos said.

Honorary member

Bangit is perceived to be close to outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, having been with her since she was vice president. Bangit is a member of the PMA "Makatarungan" Class of 1978, which counts Mrs. Arroyo as an honorary member.

On the other hand, Burgos said Aquino's comments about Bangit Wednesday has not affected the morale of the AFP.

"Our troops' morale remains high. We cannot afford to get our morale low. We will continue to do our duty as soldiers," he said.

Bangit is not due to retire until July 31, 2011.

Meanwhile, Burgos said the AFP will wait for the 15th Congress and Commission on Appointments to convene in July to act on the promotions of some 300 officers.

The promotions were deemed bypassed in the 14th Congress due to lack of time.

"Patuloy silang tutugon at gagampanan ang tungkulin dahil walang pagbabago. Hihintayin ang pag-convene ng next Congress (They will continue to do their duty as if nothing happened. They will wait for the next Congress to convene)," Burgos said. — RSJ/LBG
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News Update 30 Sayyaf bandits killed, arrested in two months

At least 30 Abu Sayyaf bandits have been either killed or captured in Basilan in two months, the period covered by the military’s self-imposed deadline to significantly degrade the capability of the al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group in the province.

“By our assessment, we had a successful two months," said Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos, a military spokesman. “This has sincerely degraded their capability to launch terroristic attacks against government installations, against government forces."

The deadline was set by Armed Forces chief Gen. Delfin Bangit when he visited Basilan, a known hotbed of Abu Sayyaf activities, last March 15.

Burgos said the 30 included the Abu Sayyaf members killed and captured last Saturday when elite Scout Rangers raided a bandit lair in Gihong village in Sumisip town. An Abu Sayyaf member was killed while 14 others were captured in that operation.

Seized during the raid were six M16 rifles, an M203 grenade launcher, a Garand rifle, a grenade, a blasting cap, a 60 mm mortar shell, Icom radios, camouflage uniforms and combat boots.

Burgos said the raid last Saturday was a “very big blow" to the Abu Sayyaf.

“That wrapped up our two months of relentless operations against the [Abu Sayyaf] …This is really a big blow to [them] …because we neutralized 15 of them," he said.

Burgos said military commanders would conduct an assessment whether or not there is a need to reduce or add more forces in Basilan.

At present, there are about 3,000 troops currently stationed in the province. - KBK
Abu Sayyaf: target of Philippine-U.S. anti-terrorism cooperation.: An article from: Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports and Issue Briefs

The civilian side of the war on terror.: An article from: Policy Review
Maritime terrorism: focusing on the probable.: An article from: Naval War College Review
Philippine public voices strong support for security ties with U.S: In pre-9/11 survey, public divided on accepting foreign assistance to counter Abu Sayyaf (Opinion brief)
Abu Sulaiman: Extremist, Terrorist, Abu Sayyaf, Palawan, Gesellschaftsordnung, Politische Linke, Politisches Spektrum (German Edition)
The Final Option : A Riveting Account of the Bloodiest Jailbreak Attempt By the Abu Sayyaf in a High-risk Detention Center At Camp Bagong Diwa (Philippines)