ARMED Force of the Philippines Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr. reminded soldiers to be loyal to their oaths upon his visit to the Eastern Mindanao Command and Western Mindanao Command last Saturday, Feb. 3.
“I am not worried because I know the new breed of soldiers are professionals. Let us remain united and loyal to the Constitution and the Chain of command,” General Brawner Jr. said.
“Focus lang tayo sa trabaho natin. Isa lang ang ating Pilipinas, Isa lang ang ating bansa (Let’s focus on our work. We only have one country). Let us be proud of our heritage, let’s be proud of who we are as people,” he added.
Meanwhile, in a statement, the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) clarified the visit of Brawner was dedicated to checking on the humanitarian response in the flood-affected communities and the security campaign against communist terrorists under its area of control.
Earlier, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque revealed in a Facebook Live that the Marcos administration planned to clip the wings of the Dutertes by disbanding the Task Force Davao.
The unit, which has been responsible for the checkpoints and foot patrols, along with the police, has been a deterrent to terrorism since it was established in Davao City in 2003.
The EastMinCom statement emphasized that Task Force Davao gives Joint Task Force Haribon a significant edge in its counter-terrorism efforts, especially in maintaining security in Davao City, the economic hub of Mindanao.
Roque hinted that the administration is wary of the unit’s loyalty to former President Rodrigo Duterte and his children, Vice President Sara Duterte, Mayor Sebastian Duterte, and Congressman Paolo Duterte.
“Nakakalap ako ng balita na idi-disband daw ang Task Force Davao na may 700 na sundalo na pinoprotektahan ang Davao sa banta ng terorismo (I received information that they will disband Task Force Davao with its 700 soldiers who protect Davao City against terror threats),” Roque said.
But in an interview on Monday, 10th Infantry Division spokesperson Major Mark Anthony Tito said there was no order to disband the unit.
“Wala man order na buwagon ang TF Davao. Wala man na siya nahisgutan (There was no order to demobilize the TF Davao. It wasn’t talked about),” Tito said.
Meanwhile, TIMES is still waiting on the statement of TF Davao commander Col Darren Comia on the matter.
The TFD was established on April 16, 2003, after the terror attacks on the Sasa Airport and Sasa Wharf. Its headquarters is located at the Sta. Ana Wharf in Barangay Leon Garcia.
