3ID chief: Security operations to go on in absence of SOMO
The internal security operations (ISO) of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) will go on amid the Holiday Season.
This, 3ID commanding officer Maj. Gen. Vicente Porto said, in the absence of SOMO (suspension of military operations) declaration.
“We have not received any instruction for a possible SOMO. So, the ISO will go on,” he said adding, “but as soon as we get instructions for SOMO, we would make necessary amendments.”
But if Porto will have his way, “gusto naman natin na ang ating mga sundalo ay makauwi sa pamilya nila. In the same manner, we want also the rebels to spend their holidays together with their family,” he added.
For now, the 3ID commander said that he could not say if the AFP higher headquarters would declare a SOMO later on.
If the SOMO will be declared, Porto assured through that they would still be continuing active defense operations.
In its press statement, the 3ID stated, “Your military will follow the national policy of suspension of military operations if the government resumes talking peace with the communist rebels.”
It can be recalled that the government’s preliminary talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF) did not push through because there was no ample time to prepare and push with the preliminary talks with the NDF in Oslo, Norway which the communist movement scheduled last Sept. 5 of this year.
Porto also projected that there will be policies that will impact on their programs once the government pushes the peace process with the National Democratic Front (NDF).
Since there is no SOMO, he added that “your Army’s contingent will continue performing our combat and civil-military operations in Western Visayas. In fact, we are more emboldened to push for development projects through civil-military operations in many peaceful areas and even more so in terrorized communities. With regards to the impending peace talks, we all agree that the sincerity of both parties is important for the peace process to prosper. We have already lifted the JASIG as a sign of our sincerity in pursuing a lasting peace but we have yet to see the NDF reciprocate.”
“They must clearly state the real names of their leaders who will be afforded with the provisions of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) and not just through their aliases, if they are truly sincere to talk peace,” Porto pointed out.
Further, the statement added, “Your Army is anticipating that through the JASIG, the communists would likely ask for the release of their leaders in custody by government forces in many areas of the country. We admit that with the peace process, your military will be taking a defensive posture. We therefore continue to urge our prodigal brothers to renounce the armed struggle and give peace a chance to be realized through dialogue.”
