Daily Star

Be apolitical, Ibrado
tells WV soldiers

BY GILBERT BAYORAN

Maj. Gen. Victor Ibrado, newly-installed commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, told commanders of key military units in Western and Central Visayas at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz to observe strict adherence to discipline and remain apolitical.

Ibrado, in a meeting Sunday, also rallied field commanders to maintain and ensure solidarity among their personnel.

Ibrado replaced Maj. Gen. Alphonsus Crucero as commander of the 5,000-strong 3rd Infantry Division with infantry units stationed in Panay, Negros, Cebu and Bohol.

Military records show that no 3ID soldier is involved in the destabilization plot against the government, he said.

Ibrado also called for vigilance among his men against New People's Army attacks, and attempts by some people to recruit them in destabilizing the government.

During his visit in Jamindan, Capiz on Sunday, Army chief Hermogenes Esperon also called on 3ID soldiers " to keep the chain of command safe and unbroken", and issued a stern warning against coup plotters that they will not have a chance with him.

Esperon will assume the position of Gen. Generoso Senga as AFP chief of staff on July 21. Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino will replace him as PA chief.

Crucero will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Aug. 2. Esperon and Tolentino are members of the Philippine Military Academy Class '74.

The National Democratic Front-Negros, meanwhile, said that the total war declaration of the Arroyo regime will worsen human rights violations in Negros, which it claimed is being carried out by soldiers of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, policemen, members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army as well as para-military units under the AFP.*GPB



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