‘No need for loyalty check’ – AFP

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), specifically the Philippine Army, will remain loyal to the Constitution, according to Col. Orlando Edralin, deputy commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade.

“We will continue to abide by the constitution and we will follow with the duly constituted authority,” Edralin said in an interview on Oct. 3, 2018.

He stated that they are not giving any further attention to the “Red October” ouster plot against President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Hindi na namin pinapansin yan. We don’t believe because we focus on what we need to do at gagawin lang namin kung ano ang nararapat,” Edralin mentioned.

The army commander also assured that the force is never interested or involved in politics.

As regards the alleged extortion activities of the New People’s Army (NPA), Edralin called on politicians to refuse their demands.

“Iwasan na natin ito. Huwag na tayong magbigay ng permit to campaign at permit to win na sinasabi nila kasi kalokohan lang ito,” he notified politicians especially that the election nears.

Aside from politicians, the rebels also allegedly coerced ordinary people, thus the Philippine Army together with the Philippine National Police (PNP) will intensify their offensive operations against the rebels.

Edralin noted that the extortion activities of the terrorist groups in Antique continue even after the August 15 encounter between the NPA-Komiteng Rehiyon Panay (KRP) and government troops. The encounter killed seven alleged leaders of the NPA-KRP.

But there was a decrease on the monitored rebellious feats, Edralin reported.

“Mapapansin natin na based sa report natin, from around 200 plus ay bumaba sa 90 plus ang monitored na violent activities so it simply means na talagang napakalaki ng blow sa organization nila considering na ito ay regional taxation organization officers ang nakuha sa kanila,” he said.

The Philippine Army urged the public to report any terrorist movements and extortion activities through their hotline numbers 0928 175 7208 or 0916 766 3740.

“We are encouraging ang ating mga kababayan na mag-report at maaasahan ninyo na ang aksyon ng inyong kapulisan at ng AFP ay laging para sa bayan at para sa ating mamamayan,” he added.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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