BRGY. MINOYAN, Murcia -- The new commanding officer of the 303rd Infantry (Brown Eagle) Brigade yesterday, sought the support of local government units, non-government organizations and other concerned sectors in Negros Island in their efforts to counter insurgents in the area.

Col. Jerry Jalandoni also said the recent raid in Escalante City, Negros Occidental by New People's Army fighters on the Community Police Assistance Center of the Philippine National Police 1st Provincial Mobile Group indicated that the security situation in the island should be closely watched.

Jalandoni assumed the post relinquished by Brig. Gen. Jogy Leo Fojas at turnover rites in Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia yesterday witnessed by Maj. Gen. Alphonsus Crucero - 3rd Infantry Division commander, Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco, Negros Occidental and Oriental police directors Senior Supts. Charles Calima and Melvin Ramon Buenafe, Bacolod City police director Senior Supt. Pedro Merced, Lt. Col. Suzette Agustin, West Negros College president and several local government officials, among others.

Fojas is now assigned at Camp Aguinaldo in Metro Manila as the deputy of Maj. Gen. Pedro Ramboanga, AFP deputy chief of staff for Operations.

Jalandoni, a former commanding officer of the 78th Infantry Battalion, said he will conduct finding, fixing and fighting operations against what he called residual enemy elements in their areas, especially those involved in the recent raid in Escalante City.

Jalandoni said he will ask the help of stakeholders including the LGUs, non-government units, church, media and all peace -loving citizens of Negros to help them fight and win against terrorism, poverty, enemy combatants and lawlessness.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Crucero, the installing officer at the turnover, yesterday said Jalandoni should accept the consequences of his action as accountability always comes with responsibility. Crucero congratulated Fojas for his effectiveness and competence in neutralizing insurgents in Negros Island during his term. He also asked his men to give support and cooperation to Jalandoni because he could not win the war alone.

"We should deny our enemy any opportunity to attack our detachments and bases as well as to have a source of their combatants," Crucero said.

He asked his men to stand up and strictly adhere to the chain of command and respect the duly constituted authority. *DMG

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