PIA Press Release
Tuesday, January 03, 2012 Army chief tells soldiers to wear rules of engagement cards TAGUIG CITY, Jan 3 (PIA) –- As the 18-day holiday truce with CPP ends Monday, January 2, Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista directed his troops to wear, at all times, the IPSP ‘Bayanihan’ rules of engagement (ROE) cards. The Army chief said the ROE cards provide military personnel directions under a legally defensible framework. “The cards provide commanders and personnel with a clearly delineated set of responsibilities and operational constraints,” said Bautista. He added that the policy is part of the security sector reform as embodied in the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan. Army spokesperson Major Harold Cabunoc also said the IPSP Bayanihan ROE cards, in English and Filipino, contain the appropriate responses of military personnel during operations. “These procedures are derived from current Philippine laws as well as the Laws of Armed Conflict that are determined to apply during military operations," added Cabunoc. Meanwhile, military personnel are also expected to resume peace and development missions in the remote villages. The Army spokesperson said that soldiers will continue to defend the communities against the enemy’s armed aggression. “It is part of our mandate to apply the legitimate force against those who insist to disturb the peace in the countryside,” said Cabunoc. (PA-PIO/RJB/JEG-PIA NCR) | 
