No red tagging, harassment of Benedictine nun: Army

THE Philippine Army in Davao Oriental denied Tuesday accusations hurled against them by environmentalist groups that they harassed and tagged a Benedictine nun as member of the New People's Army (NPA).

The soldiers brought with them some barangay leaders to back up their denial.

In the Armed Forces of the Philippines/Philippine National Police (AFP/PNP) press conference at Task Force Davao (TFD) headquarters, Lieutenant Colonel Leopoldo Imbang, commander of the Army's 28th Infantry Battalion, described the accusation as "just intrigues and all lies" to mislead the people who have supported the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) of the government.

"In my experience as battalion commander and former junior officer, such deceptions, lies, intrigues, and propaganda have been always there. It never changes. It is obvious naman that these groups are just sowing intrigues, mas mabuti sana na alamin muna natin ang katotohanan before we jump into conclusions," Imbang said.

He said government troops are actually grateful and supportive on the advocacy of Sr. Stella Matutina for environment protection, and that none of them accused her as member of the communist group.

First Lieutenant Hermie V. Montelibano, Civil Military Office (CMO) chief of the 28th IB, said he vehemently denied the same accusations, adding he never said a word against the nun.

He said the issue started when the barangay officials invited the 28th IB in an assembly to discuss Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP) of the Army in the area. 

"Along the discussion with the barangay officials, nihangyo si sister na muistorya siya, so we gave her the floor to speak. But we were surprised because what she wanted is to remove the troops in the area," Montelibano said.

"The barangay officials answered them back and told them that there was a resolution for us to remain and continue our PDOP in the area. After she talked in front of us, I even thanked her for their advocacy. I didn't say anything against them," Montelibano said.

Three barangay officials from Lupon in Davao Oriental echoed the same sentiment with the soldiers. 

Emelita Gastardo, barangay councilman of San Isidro in Lupon, said they never heard any Army official in the area accusing Sr. Matutina as NPA member.

"We are there. We know the agenda of the barangay officials with the 28th IB, and I can assure that Sir Montelibano and Sir Lingat did not say anything against them. It was Sis. Matutina and the groups, who insisted that issue," village chief Arlene Luzon, of Lantawan in Lupon, said.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SunStar.Com.Ph | May 8, 2012 | Article Link

Task Force Davao ordered: Strengthen drive vs terror

THE Philippine Army (PA) chief ordered Tuesday Task Force Davao (TFD) to strengthen its campaign against anti-terrorist and continue the implementation of the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan in its area of responsibility.

Lieutenant General Emmanuel Bautista, PA chief, issued the order anew to TFD personnel and other Army troops in entire Davao Region to maintain the security and stability in the area.

Bautista, during Monday's "Give Us This Day" program of the Pastor Apollo Quiboloy's Kingdom of Jesus Christ, said he believes that through the IPSP Bayanihan, which focuses on the welfare of the people, the country will be able to attain peace step-by-step.

He said the campaign is a nationwide approach that needs everybody's cooperation.

"We at the Armed Forces strive to protect the Filipinos, that is why we are committed to adhere to the Human Rights International Humanitarian Law and the rule of law. The intent really is to win the peace rather than fighting," Bautista said.

He also reminded his troops on the moral transformation of the Army, which is part of the IPSP Oplan Bayanihan, for them to fully implement the internal security and peace plan.

Bautista said the soldiers have to be credible and effective, that they have to prove to the people that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are professional forces and well dedicated to serve the public.

"We've been getting a lot of criticisms every now and then, and we need to change all of these. We need to improve the image of the AFP, and therefore we need to transform," Bautista said, as he also appealed to the public to support the AFP.

Colonel Marcos Norman Flores, chief of the Task Force Davao, in response to Bautista's order vowed to strengthen their campaign against anti-terrorism and double their efforts in implementing IPSP. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ivy C. Tejano | SunStar.Com.Ph | April 26, 2012 | Article Link

New task force chief vows to protect unit's gains

THE new chief of Task Force Davao (TFD) vowed to protect the gains of the nine-year-old anti-terrorist unit and work from there.

Army Colonel Marcos Norman Flores, during Tuesday’s turnover ceremony at the TFD headquarters, vowed to continue the programs that his predecessor, Colonel Rey Leonardo Guerrero, has started.

"Hindi po natin pababayaang basta na lang mapunta sa wala (We will not allow the gains to just go down the drain)," Flores said, referring to the outstanding job of Guerrero.

"I know there are a lot challenges and I vow to confront them head-on in making Davao City terrorist-free," Flores said.

"TFD's accomplishments under my watch may be less compared with other TFD commanders but this a product of diligence and hard work and may the new TFD chief continue to pursue them relentlessly," said Guerrero.

"I leave Davao City with a promise fulfilled. I may be in Davao Oriental but I will be guarding Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal from the other end of the Davao Gulf. I will also be leaving a capable unit, competent men and women," Guerrero added, who led TFD helm since August 2010.

He owed his performance to the drive and work ethics of Major General Jorge V. Segovia, chief of the Army's 10th Infantry Division.

Guerrero recognized the TFD troops, who are mostly non-regular Army personnel, for enduring the heat, rain, dust and smog, and scorn of irate motorists just to keep Davao City and Samal terrorist-free.

He also thanked partners in the local government, business sector and media partners for their support.

Guerrero urged the men and women of TFD to accord Flores the same support given him during his more than one and a half year as TFD chief.

It is the third time that Flores and Guerrero were involved in turnover ceremonies -- the two others were when Flores replaced Guerrero as commander of the Army's 6th Infantry Battalion in Negros Oriental and Chief of Staff of the 3rd Infantry Division in Jamindan, Capiz.

As the 8th TFD chief aims to excel in assuming the post from a predecessor who was given a high score by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Flores vowed to enhance the security system that TFD has been implementing.

"We will be active in calamity response and include risk reduction management in improving the capability of TFD, aside from anti-terrorism," Flores said.

The top man of the Army's 10th ID, meanwhile, lauded TFD under Guerrero's watch.

"It is now a regular part of Davao City's landscape and a source of pride for the 10th ID. Jagger (Col. Guerrero) is a humble officer who refuses to brag about his accomplishments," said Segovia, who is guest speaker in Tuesday's turnover ceremony.

"The loss of Davao City is a gain for Davao Oriental," Segovia said referring to Guerrero's assignment as commander of the Army's 701st Infantry Brigade based in Mati City, Davao Oriental.

He said Guerrero's reassignment has long been overdue.

Meanwhile, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio thanked Guerrero for his dedication.

Dutert-Carpio also thanked Segovia for the 10th ID's support to the City Government of Davao.

She also lauded men and women of TFD for their efforts in doing their job of safeguarding the peace and serenity of Davao City.

With Flores as the new TFD head, Duterte said she expects excellence. "We do not have to remind you always the reason why TFD was created."

TFD was created in 2003 by virtue of an Executive Order with the explicit function to prevent terrorist attacks similar to the Davao International Airport and Sasa wharf bombings in March and April of the same year, respectively that killed 38 people and injured several others.

----------------------------------------------------------

By Gigie Arcilla-Agtay

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

SunStar.Com.Ph

Article Link

Task Force Davao to stay

DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio wants Task Force Davao (TFD) to stay even if there have been no terroristic attacks since the special army group was formed almost a decade ago.

Duterte-Carpio made the statement after another TFD commander is set to assume post on Saturday taking over TFD chief Colonel Rey Leonardo Guerero.

"Sa pagkakaron, dili ma feel sa uban ang importansya sa TFD kay wala may nahitabo na dautan (As of now, people cannot feel the importance of TFD because there has been no attacks on the city)," the mayor said.

But Duterte-Carpio stressed the role of TFD in keeping the peace.

"Makita lang sa ubang ang TFD kung naay nahitabo (People can only notice the TFD when something bad happens)," Duterte-Carpio said.

TFD was created after the bombings at the Davao airport and Sasa Port in March and April 2003.

The mayor gave Guerrero an outstanding grade of 9.5, with 10 as the highest, in his one-and-a-half year as chief of TFD.

Army Colonel Marcus Norman Flores will assume the post on February 25.

Both Guerero and Flores are members of the Philippine Military Academy batch 1984.

-------------------------------------------

By Jereco O. Paloma

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

SunStar.Com.Ph

Link

Mayor gives outgoing task force chief 9.5 grade

DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio gave the outgoing Task Force Davao (TFD) chief Wednesday an outstanding grade of 9.5, with 10 as the highest.

Duterte-Carpio said the City Government was pleased with the performance of Colonel Rey Leonardo Guerero, who assumed the TFD post from Colonel Oscar Lactao on August 24, 2010.

Guerero is set to officially turn over the command to Army Colonel Marcus Norman Flores on February 25.

The mayor thanked Guerero for keeping the city safe and free from any terrorist threat.

"Your success will be measured pag-humana imung serbisyo (once you are done with your service)," the mayor said when asked of her tips for the incoming TFD chief.

Flores, who like Guerrero is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1984, is commander of the Army's 61st Infantry Battalion based in Capiz.

After Guerrero's stint in Davao City, he will be assigned as commander of the Army's 701st Infantry Brigade in Caraga Region.

The Task Force Davao is military unit created in 2003 tasked to prevent terrorist attacks similar to the airport and Sasa wharf bombings in Davao City in March and April 2003, respectively that killed 38 people and injured several others.

-----------------------------------------------------------

By Jereco O. Paloma

Thursday, February 16, 2012

SunStar.Com.Ph

Link

Task force chief bids goodbye to council

THE outgoing chief of Task Force Davao (TFD) bid goodbye to members of the City Council before he officially turns over his post to the new commander.

In his speech during Tuesday's regular session, Colonel Rey Leonardo Guerero, outgoing TFD commander, said his one-and-a-half year as TFD chief has been very fruitful.

Though he did not go into details on the reason of his relief, Guerrero thanked the city, particularly the City Council, for its support to all TFD's programs and endeavors in safeguarding the city.

"I will treasure the partnership and the friendship that we have shared together as I am and will always be proud to have served Dabawenyos as commander of the TFD," Guerero said.

Guerero will officially turn over the post to Colonel Norman Flores on February 25.

"Until then, I will continue to perform my duties diligently and work even harder for the Dabawenyos," he said.

Guerrero, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class 1984, assumed the TFD chief post in 2010.

TFD was created after the bombing at the Davao International Airport and Sasa wharf in 2003

-----------------------------------------------

Jereco O. Paloma

SunStar.Com.Ph

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Link