AFP photo
CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon CIty, Jan. 29 The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Gilbert Gapay lauded the men and women of Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) for their counter insurgency feat during his farewell visit at Camp Guillermo Nakar, Lucena City, Quezon on January 26, 2021.
A week before his retirement, General Gapay visited the headquarters of SOLCOM where he earned his third star as the Commander of the said command. He was welcomed with military honors by its commander, Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr.
During his visit he commended SOLCOM for their accomplishments on ending local communist armed conflict. SOLCOM was able to neutralize 319 Communist Terrorist Group members and dismantled guerilla front and platoons, such as Komiteng Larangang Gerilya-Cesar, Platun Silangan Sub-Regional Military Area-4C, and Platun Japson Sub-Regional Military Area-4B of Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee.
Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay (PHILIPPINE ARMY / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Gapay bestowed battle streamer awards to the military units during a command conference held at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Friday, Jan. 15.
“Despite the pandemic, AFP soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines were able to persevere and continue its commitment in defeating internal security threats such as the CTGs [communist-terrorist groups],” he said.
The AFP Chief challenged the military units to sustain their military offensives so they can achieve their goal of crushing the communist insurgency by 2022.
“Let us not rest on our laurels. Let these gains serve as an inspiration for us to deliver some more and perform better. Let us continue to be proactive and innovative in our ways to sustain our operational momentum,” Gapay said.