LEGAZPI CITY -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police recently signed a covenant to strengthen internal security operations in Bicol.

        Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Sodusta, Commanding General of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division said that the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the AFP and the PNP was signed to define the roles and coordinative policies as well as procedures in the campaign to counter the insurgency problem hounding the region.

        The MOA, he said, was in compliance with Executive Orders 110 and 546 wherein a joint AFP-PNP regional internal security system was created to put an end to the four-decade long insurgency problem in the region.

        Under the agreement, the Army’s 9th Infantry Division will continue to discharge its primary function of undertaking internal security operations (ISO) while the PNP regional command will provide support strength to the 9th ID. The combined military-police operation will be known as Joint Task Force Bicol (JTF Bicol).

        Under the agreement, the PNP through the inter-agency legal assistance group (IALAG) will facilitate the filing of appropriate charges against New People’s Army rebels captured and apprehended by the military’s operating units.

        Deputy Police Director General German Doria, PNP directorate for human resource chief, said the joint agreement is expected to bolster the peace effort campaign of the government.

        “In the fight against criminality and terrorism there is a need for partnership to enhance the government peace effort campaign,” Doria said adding that such AFP-PNP initiative would be replicated in other regions where there is alarming insurgency problem.

        Doria was in Legazpi City last Monday as representative of PNP Director General Avelino Razon during the 17th PNP Day celebration at Camp Gen. Simeon Ola here.

        In an interview, Sodusta told Bicol Mail that the AFP in Bicol is flexing its muscle by recruiting at least 2,000 militiamen to augment the regular government combatants here.

        Aside from 2,000 militiamen, the AFP, according to Sodusta, will be recruiting another 250 regular soldiers in Bicol this year. He disclosed more than 1,000 units of service firearms were delivered in Bicol a week ago for the use of the newly recruited combatants.

        “Our campaign against the New People’s Army is on the right track. Our troops dismantled two guerilla fronts in Sorsogon and Camarines Sur last year and we are targeting to crush three more guerilla fronts in Bicol this year,” Sodusta said.