WestMinCom sees significant progress of IPSP Bayanihan campaign

by Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, June 14 (PIA) – To determine whether the Command is right on track with its campaign, the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) hosted a command conference on June 10 to review the progress of the Internal Peace and Security Program (IPSP) Bayanihan.

Professor Mirriam Coronel Ferrer, Chairperson of GHP-MILF Peace Process, 

and Prof Howard Cafugauan, the ASEC for OPAPP programs, 

were also present and gave updates on the GPH-MILF 

peace process and Sajahatra Bangsamoro programs. (WESMINCOM/PIA9-ZBST)

Commanders from the 1^st and 6^th Infantry Divisions, 3^rd Air Division of the Philippine Air Force, Naval Forces Western Mindanao Command, PNP counterparts and other senior staff attended the conference to review the progress of its Internal Peace and Security Operation efforts in Western Mindanao for the first semester of 2013.

In his Command Guidance, Gen Ardo, the Commander of Western Mindanao Command described the 1^st Semester of 2013 as a very challenging period for the Western Mindanao Command.

“Aside from having to accomplish the mandates on internal security, the Sabah crisis gave it also the opportunity to employ AFP resources and assets of large magnitude and helped resolve and diffuse the tension which could have transformed into large-scale violence, thus preventing negative international repercussions,” Ardo said.

Professor Mirriam Coronel Ferrer, 

Chairperson of GHP-MILF Peace Process receives a citation 

from WESMINCOM. (WESMINCOM/PIA9-ZBST)

He said the Command was able to successfully harness the support of all the stakeholders toward the realization of a secure, orderly and credible Elections 2013, saying that “the recently concluded national and local elections was a huge success when compared to past elections.”

Ardo also noted that after the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), from a potent national security threat, is now treated as a ‘special security concern’.

“Since its signing, a significant and more improved security condition in the entire area of responsibility can be noticed. This however can be attributed to several factors such as the continued adherence and respect to the primacy of the peace process; ability to contribute and undertake confidence-building measures; and being able to put up a credible deterrence,” Ardo explained.

He said that overall, the Command made significant headway in its campaign both in addressing the local security threats, including allied threats and other maritime security concerns.

Professor Mirriam Coronel Ferrer, Chairperson of GHP-MILF Peace Process, and Prof Howard Cafugauan, the ASEC for OPAPP programs, were also present and gave updates on the GPH-MILF peace process and Sajahatra Bangsamoro programs. GPH-CCCH Chair BGen Cesar Dionisio T Sedillo also provided valuable and essential inputs.

Colonel Rodrigo T. Gregorio, Command Public Information Officer said that the conference had also determined the contributory factors which affect the success, delay or failure, and identify the gaps and challenges. He did not elaborate.

The Command conference ended with a message of rejoinder from Gen. Ardo to the subordinate Commanders and other participants/stakeholders to pursue with even greater zeal and enthusiasm in helping accomplish the mission of the Command for the remaining months of the year. (RVC/WESMINCOM/PIA9-ZBST)