FAJARDO: Insurgency Problem

Can’t Be Licked In 2 Months

by: Recto I. Vidal

“The insurgency problem in the country, particularly in Panay Island, cannot be wiped out in just a span of two months,” pointed out Col. Gregorio Fajardo.
Col. Gregorio Fajardo, is the newly installed commander of Task Force Panay (TFP). In an interview with local newsmen after he met with Aklan Gov. Carlito S. Marquez during the former's courtesy call with the governor, he declared, "Suntok sa buwan yan (Its a long shot). The reporter who wrote that story undoubtedly misquoted me and he has apologized to me for committing that erroneous story," Fajardo said, referring to a news story in a newspaper (not Madyaas Pen) who claimed ease to wipe out insurgency problem in two months.
He said that “the insurgency problem in the country has been around for the last 20 years and cannot be eradicated in just two months.”
When asked on the planned withdrawal of the National Democratic Front from the peace talks with the government, Fajardo disclosed that the NDF's leaders appear to be lacking in coordination as can be gleaned by the conflicting statements coming from its hierarchy.
"With this development, our counter insurgency operations will still continue. If the NDF will withdraw from the ongoing peace negotiations, that will be to their disadvantage," Fajardo opined.
As the new commander of the taskforce Panay, Fajardo vowed that the TFP's operations will continue without letup as the campaign plan has been geared for the whole year round, in close coordination with the different government agencies.
When asked on the topics he discussed with the governor during his courtesy call, Fajardo said that they have not discussed any topic except doing a courtesy call with the Aklan governor.
"I'm aware that Aklan is a peaceful province but we will still continue our plans and programs for the whole of Panay as not to waste the gains earlier chalked up by the taskforce," he said,
Fajardo then appealed to the Aklanons for their continued support so that they can fulfill their mandate of protecting the state and the people as a whole.
"Please do help us as we badly need the support of the populace in our campaign as we can't do this alone," he appealed. /MP http://madyaas_pen@yahoo.com