AFP crafts ‘Bayanihan’ to end insurgency in 2016

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has dubbed its new counter-insurgency campaign plan as “Bayanihan” which is people-centered and focused more on the whole-nation approach to finally end the decades-long communist insurgency problem in the country.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said that AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Ricardo David Jr. will formally present the campaign plan Bayanihan to the commander in chief President Aquino during the celebration of AFP’s 75th founding anniversary on Tuesday in Camp Aguinaldo.

“It’s (campaign plan Bayanhihan) official launching and submission to the President will be on Dec. 21st,” said Mabanta.

The campaign plan “Bayanihan,” Mabanta said, was conceptualized by the AFP general headquarters led by no less than David, who has given priority to promotion of human rights.

“Our mission statement here is winning the peace which hinges on two very important approaches –the whole nation approach and people-centered approach,” said Mabanta.

Mabanta explained that the whole-nation approach calls for role-playing for all members of the society, up to the common people, and not only the government is acting to address the insurgency problem.

On the other hand, people-centered approach, Mabanta said, gives primordial consideration to human security such as advocacy to human rights.

The AFP spokesman said the new campaign plan was a result of mutli-sectoral consultations by the military.

Mabanta said that campaign plan “Bayanihan” is designed to finally end the menace of insurgency on or before 2016 when the term of Aquino ends.

The previous AFP counter-insurgency campaign plan, Oplan Bantay Laya, was blamed by militant organizations for alleged human rights abuses during the Arroyo administration.

Meanwhile, the military scored the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front-New People’s Army (CPP-NDF-NPA) for continued use of landmines in waging its Maoist war against the government.

Mabanta said the ambush against Army men in Las Navas, Northern Samar province last week was a clear example that the communist group has not stopped the use of landmine which is banned under the CARHRIHL. The ambush resulted in the killing of 10 soldiers and a nine-year-old boy.

Mabanta also noted that the ambush happened two days before the start of Christmas truce agreed upon by the government and the CPP-NDF leaderships.

“It is a show of bad faith toward the peace process,” said Mabanta.  –Mario J. Mallari, Daily Tribune