DAVAO CITY—The new commander of the Armed Forces’ Eastern Mindanao Command has asked communist guerrillas to refocus their “revolutionary energy” owing to the intrusion and bullying by China at the West Philippine Sea.
“A country much bigger than us is grabbing what is ours. China is usurping the fishing ground of Filipino fishermen,” Bergante said in a speech before former NPA guerrillas, who attended his assumption of command at Eastmincom. “Make your respective lives better upon receiving the financial benefits from the government through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program and other direct assistance intended for you,” he said.
Bergante said that the entire Armed Forces “is now shifting focus externally to defend the Philippine territory due to the pressing concern at the WPS, and solving the internal security threats would strengthen its external defense positioning.”