Army chief Maj. Gen. Eduardo Año FILE PHOTO
Newly installed Army chief Maj. Gen. Eduardo Año on Wednesday vowed to defeat the insurgents either through “peaceful means” or “by force” to end the country’s internal security operations so the military can focus more on territorial defense.
“We need to end our ISO (internal security operations). We need to finish the CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army) whether it is peaceful resolution or defeating them through use of force, we have to finish that because we have to focus on many other things,” Año told reporters in a chance interview.
He said the Army would soon focus on training and restructuring units geared toward territorial defense.
“We will develop a modern Army capable of addressing low to high intensity conflict. We also need citizens who are willing to fight for the same ideals their soldiers are willing to take bullets for,” Año said in his speech.
Año is the 57th commanding general of the Philippine Army, succeeding Lt. Gen. Hernando Irriberi whom President Aquino recently appointed as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“Your Army will always respect the primacy of peace, but make no mistake, we will remain to be a lethal force capable of striking down any threat to our nation,” Año said.
Año also said the Army would be professional and nonpartisan in the upcoming elections.
A seasoned combat and intelligence officer, Año is credited with the military’s recent successes in its counterinsurgency operations. He also led the arrest of fugitive Army general Jovito Palparan and top communist leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon.
But Año was linked to the disappearance of activist Jonas Burgos. While he was cleared of any misdeed, Año continues to be hounded by the allegation that he knew of the Army’s alleged abduction of Burgos, son of press freedom icon Joe Burgos, in April 2007.
Jonas’ mother Edita Burgos lamented the promotion of Año as “a sad day for human rights victims and defenders.”
“With the appointment of General Año as Army chief, there is no hope at all that justice will be obtained for human rights crimes during the watch of President Aquino,” Mrs. Burgos said.