Incoming AFP chief says Duterte not leading PH to communism

Lieutenant General Ricardo Visaya, commanding general of the Southern Luzon Command. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Outgoing Southern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya on Monday brushed off talk that President-elect Rodrigo Duterte is “slowly moving the country to communism.”

“His talking to different anti-government groups/organizations, his offer of Cabinet posts to the Communist Party are due to his dream of creating change which leads to true peace,” Visaya was quoted as saying during his farewell visit to troops in Camarines.

“If he really wanted the country to become communist, then why did he designate many former military men to his Cabinet?” he said at the meeting with field commanders.

READ: Duterte: I’m a socialist, not a communist; last card

Visaya is believed to be the strongest contender as the next chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and will assume the post on July 1.

His statement comes as Cabinet posts were offered to members of the Communist Party of the Philippines by the incoming Duterte administration.

The National Democratic Front and the incoming administration also held preliminary talks in Norway last week, ahead of the formal talks in July. Possibilities of a  ceasefire with the New People’s Army and the release of political prisoners were discussed.

READ: Duterte gov’t, communist rebels open new peace talks

Despite this, Visaya told the troops to continue their “military pressure” against the NPA.

“Until no official and clear-cut guidelines have been issued, until no formal talks have been made, we continue with our current operations in Bicol,” said Visaya.

“Remember that the NPA announced that they will increase tactical offensives against government forces until the last day of the Aquino administration,” he added.

The incoming AFP chief also reminded the troops not to be misled by talk of military unrest.

“Do not believe in coup rumors because there is no coup,” he added.

Instructions from Duterte

During the same meeting with commanders, Visaya also tackled President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s instructions when he visited him in Davao.

The outgoing Solcom commander told the troops that Duterte gave focus for the AFP to address the persisting Abu Sayyaf Group threats in Mindanao, the military’s support to law enforcement operations of the PNP, and the nationwide anti-illegal drug campaign.

He emphasized that the AFP will be strict on illegal drugs. JE/rga