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Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – With the communist insurgency threat on the wane, Philippine Army commander Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete said the Army is now in a better position to carry out missions against external threats.
"As a result, our major units, while sustaining internal security gains, are now better postured for territorial defenses, guided by a Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC)," Nafarrete said in a speech late Thursday.
"Every unit stands ready to defend the nation against external threats and actions that undermine our peace and stability."
The CADC is the strategic shift of the Philippine military where it is now tasked to defend all the country's territories, including the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone.
The shift to the CADC is highlighted by the ongoing modernization and acquisition of equipment that will allow the Army to beef up the country's credible deterrence posture, Nafarrete said.
"Beyond combat readiness, we have further strengthened our humanitarian assistance and disaster response capabilities through intensified training, meaningful bilateral engagements and the unwavering dedication of both the regular and reserve forces," he said.
Earlier, the Armed Forces of the Philippines announced that it had neutralized 413 New People’s Army (NPA) members and their supporters during operations from Jan. 1 to March 5.
Out of the 413 neutralized NPA members and their allies, 398 opted to surrender while nine were killed.
Neutralized in military parlance means surrender, capture or killing of enemy troops. (PNA)
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