New division chief vows tough campaign vs Abu Sayyaf, NPA

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A ground military commander, seasoned in counter-insurgency and separatism in Mindanao, vowed “an aggressive” campaign against the Abu Sayyaf and insurgents as he formally assumed as the chief of the army’s 1st Division in Western Mindanao area.

Brig. Gen. Gerardo Barrientos was installed by Philippine Army (PA) acting chief Maj. Gen. Romulo Cabatac Jr. during simple military rites held at Camp Major Cesar Sang-an in Labangan town, Zamboanga del Sur.

Barrientos, of Philippine Military Class (PMA) ’83, took over the helm from Maj. Gen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad who now heads the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom).

Prior to his new assignment, Barrientos led the army brigade in Sarangani areas in quelling the Abu Sayyaf faction and lost command Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) faction under Umbra Amiril Kato.

Barrientos also led the 102nd Army Brigade in Zamboanga Sibugay province against the lost command group operating the kidnap for ransom syndicate. He was also assigned as assistant commander of the 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro before he assumed as the 1st Division chief.

Barrientos vowed to step up the campaign against the Abu Sayyaf groups operating in Basilan and Sulu and mainland of Zamboanga peninsula.

“The campaign is already there and  what we need is to make it more  aggressive  to put a stop of their terrorism and kidnapping activities,” Barrientos said.

He said similar campaign will be implemented against the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in some areas in Zamboanga del Sur and Misamis Occidental provinces.