PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Aug. 6 (PNA)
-– Army’s First Infantry Division commander Brig. Gen. Gerardo Barrientos, Jr.
has assured the public of their loyalty to the duly constituted authorities.
Barrientos’ assurance is in reaction to the
recent statement of Senator Antonio Trillanes, IV that retired generals
affiliated with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are plotting a coup
against President Benigno Simeon Aquino, III.
“The officers and men of the First Infantry
Division will remain steadfast and loyal to the constitution, to the duly
constituted authorities, to the flag, to the country, and to the people,”
Barrientos said in a text message Wednesday.
Barrientos said the AFP is a professional,
disciplined and non-partisan organization citing “we will always be focused on
our mandate of protecting the people and the state. With this, there is no
reason for the military to join any destabilization plot.”
Barrientos’ command has
jurisdiction over five infantry brigades and a task force and these are the
following: 101st Infantry Brigade, Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte; 102nd Infantry
Brigade, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; 103rd Infantry Brigade, Marawi City; 104th
Infantry Brigade, Isabela City, Basilan; 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade,
Iligan City; and, Task Force Zamboanga, Zamboanga City. (PNA)
LAP/TPGJR/HIROHITO D. CADION/UTB
LAP/TPGJR/HIROHITO D. CADION/UTB
