THE 78th Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be pulling out of Cebu this month to transfer to Leyte province.
“As a fighting unit, the 78thIB should be placed in an area where there is an armed threat,” said. Lt. Col. Christopher Tampus, spokesman of the AFP-Central Command.
Cebu was declared rebel-free in 2010 by the military.
Tampus said the pullout had long been planned as part of the AFP’s target of achieving peace in the Visayas by 2016.
“Region 7 is already peaceful,” he said.
The battalion will be replaced by Task Group Cebu and Bohol composed of personnel from the 7th Regional Community Defense Group), Police Regional Office in Central VIsayas, Naval Forces Central and the 2nd Air Division.
“They are already organized together with Task Group Negros Oriental and Siquijor. The realignment of troops will address the gravity of the problem, which is now in Leyte,” he added.
“The LGUs should look at the bigger picture. This move will also benefit Cebu.”
Tampus said there was no chance for the communist New People’s Army (NPA) to reinforce its ranks and pose a threat to “retake” Cebu.
He credited the leadership of the governors and mayors of Cebu and Bohol for their support for the military./CORRESPONDENT CARMEL L. MATUS