AFP chief calls for ‘complete victory’ vs armed conflict, terror threat

MANILA, Philippines — Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. called on the troops for a “complete victory” to end armed conflict and terror threat during his first flag-raising ceremony as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“We will carry on and push our strong will to score a complete victory and finally put an end to local communist armed conflict. We will focus on capacitating ourselves in peace constituency-building, stakeholder leadership, community dialogues, and nation-building,” he said Monday.

Madrigal, former commander of Davao-based Eastern Mindanao Command, assumed as the 51st AFP chief last December.

“We also need to eradicate the existence of terrorist cells through our initiative on preventing and countering violent extremism with the support of concerned agencies and the Muslim community,” he also said.

Ahead of the upcoming plebiscite in Mindanao, Madrigal said the military would work with Muslim community and ensure the Bangsamoro people’s exercise for their right to vote.

The plebiscite on January 21 and February 6 will allow voters to decide on the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which seeks to abolish the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. /kga