By Priam Nepomuceno

CRUSH COMMUNIST THREAT. AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. talks to the troops of the Visayas Command during his visit to their headquarters in Cebu on Thursday (Feb. 22, 2024). Brawner directed Viscom troops to continue relentless operations against the remaining New People’s Army rebels in the area. (Photo courtesy of the AFP)

MANILA – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. directed the Visayas Command (Viscom) to continue with their operations to eliminate the threat of communist insurgency.

Brawner made the directive after visiting the Viscom headquarters in Cebu and the 301st Infantry Brigade in Iloilo on Thursday, the AFP said in a news release Thursday night.

“And we are very hopeful and optimistic that by the end of the year 2024, ay talagang ma-achieve natin ang (we can really achieve) total victory and we can defeat the communists here in Viscom,” he said.

Brawner also lauded Viscom’s officers and enlisted personnel for their accomplishments.

These accomplishments, he said, are aligned with the AFP’s overall campaign strategy, which is focused on defeating the NPA remnants.

Last year, the Viscom dismantled six NPA guerilla fronts, neutralized 94 communist rebels, and recovered 314 assorted firearms. (PNA)