From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 20): PHL Army to clear Bulacan of insurgents by yearend
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=546229
Brig. Gen. Hernando Iriberri, newly installed commander of the Philippine Army's 7th Infantry, took the challenge of clearing Bulacan from insurgency before the year ends.
This, after Maj. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang who relinquished the 7ID post, having been named new commander of Northern Luzon Command, reiterated Friday his goal to make military operations shifted to territorial defense at the end of 2013.
Wishing Iriberri “all the luck”, Catapang said he wanted all Nolcom areas clear of insurgency before yearend as he reiterated shifting military thrust to territorial defense.
“Here in the 7th division, only the province of Bulacan
Iriberri said that Dona Remedios Trinidad town in Bulacan has been strategic location for rebels because of its location which is adjacent to Rizal province.
"Because it is boundary of Rizal, armed groups crisscross to that area," the new 7ID chief said.
He expected Bulacan to be declared “peaceful and ready for further development soon.”
Iriberri said he will conduct “focused military operation to dismantle armed groups in the area and we will continue our peace and development in the whole area of 7ID “ with full support of his staff, officers and men.
Ireberri, a native of Surigao Sur, found his area of responsibility (AOR) vital as it includes, he said, the gateway to our country’s seat of government from the north.
“(It) holds immense strategic importance in fueling our nation’s development and in sustaining our economy’s dynamism,” he said, adding that, this characteristics adds “weight and complexity to our mission.”
To address the insurgency in Bulacan, he said, “we will have the right mix of military operations and establishing good relationship with all the stakeholders of peace.”
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=546229