CentCom welcomes new commander

CEBU, Philippines —  The Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command (CentCom) has welcomed its new commander Major General Roberto Ancan during the official turnover of command at Camp Lapu-Lapu that AFP Chief of Staff Noel Clement had administered.

Ancan replaced Acting Central Commander Chief Major General Dino Dolina.

As Ancan assumed his post, he laid down his initial directives to put a stop in the local insurgency problem.

“Calling for all the local communist na mahuman na ni sya.  So, akong panawagan katong naay mga pusil na mag rebelde, manaog na sila, dugay na ni atong away,” Ancan said, emphasizing that he is ‘offering peace’.

Ancan clarified that several government agencies have been offering programs that includes financial assistance to address the problem of insurgency.

He is asking the local communist followers to surrender and take advantage of these programs that the government is offering.

Meanwhile, Clement, who is also a former Central Command Chief, has directed Ancan to maintain the pressure over the threat groups.

“Importante kasi dito, maipagpatuloy natin, ino-organize natin yung mga provincial, municipal andbarangay task forces on ending the local communist insurgency,” Clement said, hoping to solve the problem ‘at a faster pace’.

Clement added that he is hopeful that they can end the problem before the president steps down.

Clement has also asked Ancan to prevent terrorism from spreading, especially in the Central Visayas Region.

“I have told him that the Visayas region is basically dependent in the tourism industry,” Clement said.

He added he has full trust of Ancan’s leadership, saying that Ancan’s experiences in the military have molded his capacity to lead.

Ancan is a member of the PMA Hinirang Class of 1987.

He took up several trainings in the country and abroad.  Prior to his designation as CentCom Commander, he headed the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division of the Philippine Army.  GAN (FREEMAN)