MikeLigalig.com

By Jaime Laude
The Philippine Star

Pilar, Bohol – Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano has warned troops at the front that “unscrupulous groups” might try to use them for their own vested interests.

“If anyone of you has something against the government, you can always get out of the service,” he said.

“From there you can air grievances. But for as long as you are in the service you are bound by your oath to protect the republic and the people from enemies of state.”

Speaking to troops of the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion, Yano said he will use the full might of the Army to foil any attempt of soldiers to break from the chain of command.

“There are still few noisy people who think that they alone have the monopoly of patriotism,” he said.

“What about us, the majority who have been true to our oath and have been performing our duties as protector of the people and defender of the republic? It’s unfair. So I am ordering you to deal with these vested groups decisively.”

Battalion commanders must immediately resolve grumbling of the troops and not allow it to reach higher headquarters, he added.

Yano told the troops they are deployed in Bohol to rid the province of communist rebels who are trying to make their presence felt despite their dwindling number.

“If you go against your sworn duties, you are even worse than the NPAs, because they (insurgents) don’t have any oath to speak of,” he said.

“They’re plain and simple criminals. Let us put a stop to this foolishness (destablization).”

Meanwhile, Yano told a peace and order council meeting in Tagbilaran City chaired by Gov. Erico Aumentado that the Army presence in this island province will continue until such time that the New People’s Army (NPA) has been defeated.

However, the Army cannot do it alone because fighting and defeating the NPA requires coordinated efforts, especially with local governments, he added.

Bohol is a government laboratory for development, Yano told provincial board members, the League of Municipalities of the Philippines Bohol chapter and local leaders.

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