MANILA, Philippines - Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. and Deputy Director-General Leonardo Espina showed a unified Armed Forces and Philippine National Police (PNP) when the firearms seized from slain police commandos in Mamasapano, Maguindanao and returned by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were presented in Camp Aguinaldo yesterday.
“That speaks of the unity of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police as we surpass the crisis that we underwent,” Espina said.
“We just want to reiterate that we are a band of brothers, that we will not abandon one another,” Catapang said.
The display of unity was in the face of coup rumors and finger-pointing on who should be blamed for the slaughter of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos last Jan. 25.
Military and police officials are confident that they would overcome the crisis.
Catapang said: “We are one, we are strong and we will overcome.”
Espina agreed: “Ever since we were cadets, I and General Catapang have always been together and until now, until maybe after retirement, we will always be together.”
Catapang and Espina belong to Philippine Military Academy class of 1981.
Military and police officials present during the presentation of firearms locked arms in an effort to dispel notions that the Mamasapano shootout had strained their relationship.
Catapang said the military and the police would continue to work together to ensure public safety despite their differences over the Mamasapano clash.
“We are just doing our job,” he said. “There is nothing personal here.”
Catapang said the display of unity was not meant to send a message to people seeking to destabilize the government.
“There’s no such thing,” he said. “What is important is we are doing our best efforts to recover the firearms (taken from the fallen police commandos).”
Military officials have denied that Catapang’s tour of major military units nationwide is a loyalty check.
Catapang visited the headquarters of the Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command in Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Davao City late Wednesday afternoon.
“I came here not only to check on how you’re doing in bringing peace to our community but also to congratulate you,” he said. “Your accomplishments are also attributed to your good working relationship with the PNP, which is a manifestation of our professionalism in the security sector.”
Eastmincom spokesman Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. brushed aside speculations that Catapang’s visit was a loyalty check.
“It was not a loyalty check, but it was part of his routine as chief of staff to be personally updated on the efforts on the ground,” he said. “And besides, our officers and soldiers are very professional and loyal to the chain of command and the Constitution.”
Catapang personally congratulated the troops under the Eastern Mindanao Command and to get updates on the effort of winning the peace in Southeastern Mindanao, Brawner said.
Eastmincom chief Lt. General Aurelio Baladad briefed Catapang on developments in the southern front.
Catapang lauded Eastmincom for the good working relationship with the PNP in the maintenance of peace and security in Southeastern Mindanao.
The visit came after a joint military-police force repulsed a New People’ Army (NPA) attack on the Mati police in Davao Oriental resulting in the death of four soldiers and a rebel, and the capture of an NPA leader.
Catapang personally awarded medals to 12 personnel of units under Eastmincom for their respective individual accomplishments. – With Edith Regalado