DAVAO CITY – President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday told the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to to dismantle detachments and go for the mobile checkpoints on two sides of the highway manned by forces in groups
This, as the President saw the need to change the rule on establishing detachments as terrorists have learned the art of sniping state security forces.
“Or, if you want you can mount a machine gun over a ridge far enough,” he said, reminding them to watch their backs.
He said the “gunner could watch over the detachment,” he suggested during the opening of the three-day National SWAT Challenge at Davao firing Range along Carlos P. Garcia Highway (Diversion Road), this city.
The President was prompted by reports that some soldiers manning detachments were being shot from out of nowhere. It was only realized that they were being killed from afar.
Unlike before when terrorists crawl to attack detachments and kill the soldier, Duterte said they (terrorists) have acquired the skill of sniping.
Apparently, this was perfected in the Middle East where terrorists seek cover inside buildings and no amount of rifle fire can take them down.
He said terrorists even used guns with silencers. So, the President said there is now a need to change the doctrines about establishing detachments immediately.
Duterte added that soldiers manning detachments cannot closely keep watch of running vehicles passing through the detachments.
“For a normal situation, for a day maraming dumadaan so mahihilo ka (you will be confused with the many vehicles passing). And the soldier could only give so much attention to one car,” he said.
“So tanggalin ninyo – detachments (So you dismantle) and go for mobile ones, in groups, in parallel, both sides of the highway,” the President added.
In Mindanao, military detachments abound especially in areas where terrorism and insurgency are prevelent. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)
