New CentCom chief bats for transparency, human rights

The  new commanding general of the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines promises transparency and respect of human rights.

Major Gen. Jose Mabanta, who assumed as acting commander of Centcom last week faced the media yesterday to talk of his programs.

A former spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Mabanta said the CentCom under his command will be transparent and accessible to media.

The military under his watch, added Mabanta shall strictly respent human rights and international humanitarian laws.

“If any of my soldiers are violating human rights, he or she will be facing consequences,” Mabanta said.

Mabanta, class 81 of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) said that during his stint here in Visayas area,  he will implement the AFP’s new strategy in “winning peace” through the Oplan Bayanihan.

Oplan Bayanihan  he said involves community and other stakeholders in addressing internal securities problems.

The media, according to him plays an important role in communicating to the public government’s internal security programs.

He said before the end of this year, the province of Antique and Negros Oriental will be declared insurgency free.

The AFP has already declared the provinces of Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor as insurgency free. Chito O. Aragon, Correspondent