AFP: No plans to disband Task Force Davao

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday denied that there were plans to disband Task Force Davao.

In a press briefing, AFP public affairs office chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad said they had no idea where the information came from.

“I just want to emphasize doon sa disbandment of the Task Force Davao, honestly, nagulat kami doon (We were taken aback). We don't know where it came from, basically,” said Trinidad.

“The [Eastern Mindanao Command] has made a statement, we made some clarification, and there is no such issuance of any directive for the disbandment of the Task Force Davao,” he added.

In a video message sent by the military’s Public Affairs Office, Armed Forces chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said there is no truth to such talk.

“Gusto ko rin pong sabihin po na yung balita po na bubuwagin yung Task Force Davao ay hindi po totoo, hindi po totoong bubuwagin natin yung Task Force Davao. Instead, magdadagdag pa ho tayo ng mga task forces sa mga lugar na talagang nangangailangan ng pwersa natin para mapanatili natin yung kapayapaan,” Brawner said.

(I just want to say that there is no truth to reports that Task Force Davao will be disbanded. Instead, we will create additional task forces in areas where our presence will be needed to maintain peace.)

In a separate statement, the Eastern Mindanao Command also denied the rumor.

“There are no instructions whatsoever coming from higher headquarters to remove Task Force Davao from its present mandate,” EastMinCom spokesperson Colonel Rosa Ma. Cristian Rosete-Manuel said.

During the press conference, AFP Spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said Brawner visited Davao over the weekend to assess operations and the welfare of troops.

“The Chief of Staff went to Davao last weekend, but his sole purpose was for three things: look into humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, how the AFP will assist sa sakuna po na nangyayari sa Davao,” she said.

(The Chief of Staff went to Davao last weekend, but his sole purpose was for three things: look into humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and how the AFP will help disaster victims in Davao.)

“Pangalawa po is yung operations po that is being conducted in Davao; the third is to look upon the welfare of the troops… remind them of their unwavering commitment towards being united and professional,” she added.

(Second is the operations that are being conducted in Davao; the third is to look into the welfare of the troops… remind them of their unwavering commitment towards being united and professional.)

In a Facebook Live post, Harry Roque, former spokesperson of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte, said that he heard about talks that Task Force Davao would be disbanded.

“Alam nila na loyal sa mga Duterte itong task Force Davao, so parang nagkaroon nga ng—well yan po ang ugong ugong ngayon — na bubuwagin daw ang Task Force Davao,” he said.

(They know that this task force Davao is loyal to the Dutertes, so it seems that there was - well that's the rumors now - that Task Force Davao would be disbanded.) — DVM/RSJ, GMA Integrated News