By Priam Nepomuceno – PNA
MANILA — Efforts to neutralize terror threats will continue, newly-installed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal said Tuesday.
“We’ll also keep up the pace of diminishing the existence of terrorist cells and other armed peace spoilers so we can protect our people and insulate our community from their (plot) of fear,” Madrigal stressed.
This is being done with ongoing violent extremism initiatives, with the support of concerned agencies and the Muslim communities.
Also, peace-inclined groups are now working with the government in the relentless pursuit of terrorism cells linked with the Dawlah Islamiya, Abu Sayyaf and remnants of the Maute Group.
These efforts reduced the threats posed by these groups, constricted their movement and disrupted their terror plans.
“We cannot let another Marawi-like threat to happen again,” Madrigal stressed.
The Marawi Siege started in May 23, 2017 and ended five months later.
Around 165 government troops were killed along with scores of civilians and an estimated 1,000 Maute Group terrorists and their allies were slain during the conflict, which also severely ravaged the city.
Madrigal replaced Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr., his mistah at the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1985, who retired after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.
The newly-appointed AFP chief, the 51st, served notably as 4th Infantry Division commander, Southern Luzon Command and Eastern Mindanao Command chief.
His appointment as next AFP chief was approved last Dec. 5 by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Madrigal is set to retire on September 28, 2019.
