By Tara Yap
ILOILO CITY — The new commander of the Philippine Army for Panay and Negros Islands strongly believes that local officials can take the lead in ending communist insurgency.
CHANGE OF COMMAND— Brigadier General Eric Vinoya (left) is installed as the new commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) by Lieutenant General Macairog Alberto (right), commanding general of the Philippine Army. Vinoya replaced Major General Dinoh Dolina (center), who is retiring Thursday. (Photo courtesy of 3ID/ MANILA BULLETIN)
“I challenge all governors and mayors to take the lead and be at the forefront in ending insurgency in their respective localities,” urged Brigadier General Eric Vinoya of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID).
“I do believe good governance is the key to ending insurgency,” Vinoya emphasized at Tuesday’s turn-over ceremony at Camp Peralta in Capiz province.
Vinoya replaced Major General Dinoh Dolina who is retiring Thursday.
Vinoya noted how crucial the role of governors and mayors as chairpersons of the Local Task Forces to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (LTF-ELCAC) is.
Aside from governors and mayors, Vinoya also urged officials of government agencies and civic leaders to join the military in wiping out the New People’s Army (NPA) and its mother unit of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
“Insurgency cannot be solved through military means alone,” Vinoya pointed out.
As the former 3ID assistant commander, Vinoya is familiar with the situation on the ground and targets to clear seven NPA infested areas in 87 barangays (villages).
“If necessary, we have to make some adjustments on our target goals and review our plans,” Vinoya noted.
He appealed to NPA rebels to give up their armed struggle.
This year, there has been a mass surrender of NPA militia members while individual NPA rebels also voluntarily surrendered.